David Eugene Walter, October 30, 1932 – August 12, 2026

David Eugene Walter, 93, of Hackettstown, NJ, formerly of South Plainfield, NJ, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2026.

Dave was born in Montclair, NJ and grew up in West Orange. He served in the Korean War in the U.S. Marine Corps and was awarded the Purple Heart.  After returning home, he earned an Electrical Engineering degree from Newark College of Engineering. He met his future wife, Jean Louise Smith, at Franklin Methodist Church in Newark while on leave. They wed in 1955 and settled in South Plainfield, where they raised four children.

Dave worked for Bell Labs, Lockheed, and Hoechst Celanese.  He was a founding member of Wesley United Methodist Church in South Plainfield, where he served on several committees including the board of trustees and had the role of financial secretary. He was an eagle scout and helped start Boy Scout Troop 309. Giving back to the community was important to him, and he volunteered for South Plainfield Animal Hospital, St. Hubert’s Animal Rescue, FISH Hospitality Program, Meals on Wheels, South Plainfield clean communities, and soup kitchens.  He enjoyed his cats, music, the outdoors, repairing electronics, and helping others.

Dave is predeceased by his parents, Gordon Meade Walter and Helen Schneider, and his loving wife Jean.  He is survived by his four children and their spouses: David Walter, Jr. and wife Chizuko, Karen Insel and husband Edward, Douglas Walter and wife Anne, and Donald Walter and wife Lisa; also, grandchildren Douglas, Jamie, Raymond, Daniel, and Katherine.

A private service and internment will be held at a later date.  Memorial donations may be made in Dave’s memory to Wesley United Methodist Church, 1500 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, or Hope4Paws Humane Society, 75 Rock Avenue, Plainfield, NJ, 07063

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High St. Hackettstown, NJ 07840. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at 222.cochranfuneral.com/