Walter Lichtfuss went home to the Lord on Friday, October 20, 2023 in hospice care. Walt was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 21, 1934 to Walter & Helen (Makowski) Lichtfuss.
Walt graduated from Tuley High School in 1953. He then graduated with Honors from Devry Tech School with an emphasis on electronics. Rather than waiting for his letter notifying him he was to be drafted, he volunteered for the draft and on September 14, 1954, he reported for duty, choosing the Army. After basic training at Camp Chafee in Arkansas, he was reassigned to Fort Jackson in North Carolina where he was taught the use of heavy weapons (mortars, machine guns, and assault rifles). He then volunteered for the airborne division where he completed 13 jumps from a flying airplane. Two years to the day, Walt was discharged as a SP3 with a good conduct medal and a sharp-shooter badge.
After the service, Walt worked for a short time as a Precision Inspector at Motorola. He was invited to work in Graphic Arts as a Cameraman by the brother of his best friend and the rest as they say is history. Walt retired after 40 years in the Graphic Arts field as a Cameraman and Scanner Operator.
Walt met Roberta Thompson when she filled in for her Aunt Tau on a bowling league she was on with Walt. They immediately hit it off and were married on June 25, 1960. They would remain happily married until Robbie passed away in 2005. Together they had four children, Karen (Dan) Guillen, James (Mary) Lichtfuss, Robert (Kris) Lichtfuss, and Michael (Rachel) Lichtfuss. He had 7 grandkids, Lauren (Josh) Hutchens, Cori (Jeff) Cameron, Megan Guillen, David Lichtfuss, Keri Lichtfuss, Noah Lichtfuss and Lane Lichtfuss. He also had 2 great-grandkids, Grayson Hutchens and Hazel Cameron. In addition to being survived by his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, he’s survived by his sister, Lorraine (Bill) Sythes and a brother James (Judy) Lichtfuss, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Walt loved working with his hands and made many beautiful furniture pieces over the years. Later in life he found a love for making wooden bowls, which he lovingly shared with family members who now have something to always remember him by. When he wasn’t doing woodworking projects, he loved to fish.
Family and friends will be received on November 16th from 10-Noon at DeGusipe Funeral Home, 9001 Orlando Avenue, Maitland, Florida. A funeral mass will then follow at 1:30 p.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church, 1020 Montgomery Road, Altamonte Springs, Florida.
A private interment will be held at Florida National Cemetery where his ashes will be placed with those of his wife Roberta Lichtfuss.