Thomas Frederick Walther's Obituary
With deeply saddened hearts, we announce the passing of Thomas Frederick Walther, 83, of Palm Coast, Florida. Tom was born on September 12, 1939 in Paterson, NJ to the late Frederick and Lydia Walther. He passed away peacefully on February 16, 2023.
After attending The Peddie School (’57) in Hightstown, New Jersey, Tom attended Dartmouth College (’61) and then the Tuck School of Business (’63). He was a brother in the Kappa, Kappa, Kappa Fraternity where he forged forever friendships and carried out antics that became the foundation of many of his college tales. He met his wife Darleen in a ski shop in Hartford, Connecticut. Always the salesman, he pretended to work at the shop, advised her on the best skis, and asked her out on a date. She bought the skis, and the rest is history.
Tom started his career at Arthur Andersen but soon realized numbers were not his forte. He moved on to Coopers & Lybrand Consulting, where he was able to use his tremendous people skills to help clients and build a thriving management consulting practice. Traveling the world, he forged strong relationships near and far. Even once semi-retired, he found time to mentor business professionals, create a partnership with Tuck, and publish a book with fellow C&L partners.
Tom and Darleen were together for 58 years and built an incredible life, much of the first half spent in Stamford, Connecticut. Tom worked tirelessly not only for his wife, but for his two daughters, Pam and Sue. Family was the center of his world, and the foursome took many memorable trips abroad; skied most winter weekends at King Ridge in New London, New Hampshire; and spent time together during the summers at the family-run Rocky Point Lodge on Pleasant Lake in Elkins, New Hampshire.
Upon retirement, the colder Connecticut weather brought Tom and Darleen to another special spot, Hammock Dunes, where they built a house and many friendships. There they were able to focus more on their golfing and travel adventures—often combining the two. Ireland became an annual tradition, renting a house for a month every summer and becoming regulars at the local Killarney pub. Tom’s humor and quick wit were his trademark. Both Tom and Darleen had an exceptional ability to meet strangers and quickly become lifelong friends.
Tom was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend and he will be sorely missed especially by his wife Darleen, daughters Pam and Sue, sons-in-law Greg and Joe, and his five grandchildren, Abby, Hayley, Jarrett, Jenny, and Katie.
The family wants to thank all the extraordinary nurses who provided wonderful care, patience, and support to Tom and his family.
A private celebration will be held in New Hampshire, a very special spot to him and the family, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Heritage Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family.
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