Fuhrmann, Walter Heinz of Mullica Twp, born on August 5, 1916 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, passed away on October 19, 2014 at Spring Village in Galloway. He was the older of two sons born to Arthur and Frances Fuhrmann. The family moved to Bucks County, PA when Walt was 11 years old. At this tender age he became a farmer - plowing fields, planting corn, wheat and oats. He had to learn to milk cows, go to school, and practice piano.
Walter moved to New Jersey in 1938, married and started to raise a family. He fathered three children — Saundra, Robert and Arthur. This marriage ended in 1949.
Walt started playing the piano at 6 years of age. He also played the accordion and sang on the radio of which he won many contests. He also had his own 15 minute radio show at the age of 12. While playing piano and singing at a tavern, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Sneckenburg, on June 10, 1950 and after a lengthy courtship they were married on October 4, 1953. After their marriage they moved to Egg Harbor City where they lived until March of 2013.
He had a varied career. He worked for an auto parts store as a salesman for a couple of years From there he worked for the Egg Harbor Boat Company where he installed carpet and worked himself up to foreman over ten men. He retired from the boat company in 1981 at the age of 65 after 28 years of service. He then went back to the auto parts store until 2006. At the age of 90 the insurance company told his boss that he was too old and they could no longer insure him. So he went to work at a doctor's office working one day a week entering files on the computer. What do you mean TOO OLD! He also took care of his own yard until he was in his mid nineties growing beautiful flowers and flowering trees. He loved the birds and animals and all that is part of Gods kingdom.
Walt joined the Barbershop Harmony Society, Greater Atlantic City Chapter in 1963. Became Chapter President in 1968, was named General Chairman of the 1970 International Convention, and became Secretary of the Judging Committee and Computer Operator. After 21 years he retired and was voted into the Hall of Honor in 1994. No longer played the piano, but still had a wonderful tenor voice and sang along every chance he got.
He was named volunteer of the month in November 1986 by the Atlantic County Voluntary Advisory Council for his work in the Mullica Township Elementary School. He donated two days a week helping kids age 7 to 13 with reading, mathematics,woodworking, and other subjects. Walt's favorite subjects were 'whatever interested the kids'. He said it was most rewarding to see a light bulb come on. The school considered him a 'School Hero' for his 15 years of dedicated service to the children.
He spent the remaining years of his life at Spring Village Assisted Living in Galloway, NJ. He was preceded in death by his parents and his precious wife, Dottie, married just shy of sixty years.
He leaves behind his three children: Saundra (and Jack) Trimmer of Blounts Creek, North Carolina, Robert (and Beverly) Fuhrmann of Parker, Colorado, and Arthur (and Charlsie) Fuhrmann of Liverpool, Texas, seven grandchildren, and eleven great grand children, brother Newell (Francis) Fuhrmann of Elizabeth, Colorado and he became a great, great grandfather the morning after he died.
He will be greatly missed by his family, many friends, neighbors and everyone who had the opportunity to know him over the years.
Visitation will be Sun. Oct. 26th from 12 Noon to 2 PM at Wimberg Funeral Home, 400 Liverpool Ave., Egg Harbor City, NJ (609) 965-0357 with a service to begin at 2 PM. Burial will follow at Egg Harbor City Cemetery. For condolences, please visit www.wimbergfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Atlantic City Boardwalk Chorus, c/o Eugene Gallucci, 7914 Ocean Blvd., Long Beach Twp., NJ 08008-3519.
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