Obituary of Walter F. Crandall

Walter F. Crandall, 90, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2010 at Wuesthoff Hospice Care Center. Walt was born October 30, 1919 in Niagara Falls, NY, where he graduated from DeVeaux School in 1937. He attended Williams College in Williamstown, MA earning his Bachelor of Arts in 1941. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. He continued graduate level studies at Williams in Chemistry and Mathematics until 1942. Walt served in the Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946 as a RADAR and Communications Officer for Pacific-based B-29 Squadrons achieving the rank of Captain before leaving the Army in 1946. Walt joined U.S. Electric Motors, New Haven, CT division in 1946 as an Assistant Production Control Manager until joining Wire Rope Corporation of America initially as an Engineer in 1949. He was a part of the company's transition team that orchestrated the move of the entire company from New Haven to St. Joseph, MO in 1950. Walt remained with Wire Rope until retiring as the Vice President, Manufacturing in 1982. During those years, as he grew in responsibilites, his technical skills were matched with his unparalleled personnel skills that successfully negotiated the boundaries between management and labor that were appreciated by all associated with him. Upon retirement Walt moved to Palm Coast, FL where he enjoyed golfing, tennis and boating serving as the Palm Coast Yacht Club Vice-Commodore and the Pine Lakes Country Club Tournament Director and Men's Golf Association Vice-Chairman of Member's Advisory Board. Walt moved down the coast to Melbourne, FL in 1989 initially settling in West Melbourne until finally moving to Suntree in 1999. While in Suntree, Walt continued his love for golf as a member of the Suntree Country Club serving as their Men's Golf Association President. Over his long life, Walt was involved in many charities, social clubs and organizations holding a number of positions; President of the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, President of the St.Joseph United Way. General Campaign Chairman of the St. Joseph United Way, Chairman of the Board for the Morris Plan, Senior Vice Commander for Military Order of World Wars, Coach for St. Joseph Little League, member of the Kansas City Athletic Club, Junior Achievement, Chapter Chairman for SCORE, President of St. Joseph Country Club, President of the Port Malabar Men's Golf Association, Sec/Treasurer of the Central Coast Golf Association, President of the Port Malabar "Nooners" Lions Club, and a member of the 535 Club of Pinellas County. Walt was preceded in death by Dorcas Griffin Crandall, Linda Catron Crandall and his brother William Crandall. He is survived by his son, Woody Crandall and his wife, Kathy of Clifton, VA; daughter DeeDee Clingan and her husband Mal of Palm Harbor, FL; grandsons, Clayton Crandall of Clifton, VA and LCPL Cortland Crandall, USMC of Camp Lejeune, NC; and his special friend Dixie Gabriel of Suntree. Anyone planning expressions of sympathy is asked to consider their local Hospice.