Walter T. Bollech, 80
FREDERICA - Walter T. Bollech passed away peacefully at his home in Frederica, DE on 6/21/2023 with his loving Family by his side.
Walter was born in Waterloo, NY on June 13, 1943, the son of Walter J. Bollech and Marjorie H. (Kidd) Bollech. He graduated from Waterloo Central School in 1961 and soon entered the United States Army where he served from 1961 to 1964.
Upon completion of military service, he started his working career as a Machinist. Starting out learning the trade working in "job shops" he gained experience on various part making machines. When the opportunity presented, he took a position working at Rochester Products, which was a division of GM. His work ethic allowed him to rise rapidly within the organization and advance to the tool room where he repaired or manufactured their own cutting tool for various machines. He finished a lengthy career as a skilled craftsman after 25 years of service.
Outside of work, Walter applied that same work ethic and high energy drive to outside activities. He became quite the "Marathon Man," completing a Marathon (26.2 miles) in all 50 states, sometimes completing two marathons in one weekend, he was the 117th runner to accomplish that feat in 1992. After completing that mark, Walter continued running with Marathons or Ultra-Marathons (100 miles) on several different continents (5 out of 7 total) to include the Artic Circle, Antarctica, and the length of the Panama Canal just to name a few.
His marriage to Margaret "Peggy" O'Neal in 1992 began a 30-year adventure with Peggy joining him on most of his exploits. It was her loving support that allowed him to squeeze so much into a life well lived.
With all that running you would think there was no time for anything else, but Walter always made time for family. He took his daughter Elena and her cousin Bonnie along to Boston when he completed the Boston Marathon. After his marriage to his wife Peggy in 1992, she, Elena and Heather (stepdaughter) all traveled to Hawaii to celebrate the last marathon of the 50 States.
Every family has that member who is the favorite uncle, grandpa, or pop-pop. He was that guy for all the children in his family and with the marriage to Peggy it was "the more the merrier" with the extended family. He had an infectious laugh and upbeat attitude and he always made sure to keep up with all their activities and progress.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret "Peggy"; daughter, Elena Marie Gobin; and brother, Dave (Linda) Bollech; children, Joey (Pattie) O'Neal, Heather (Michael) Boots; grandchildren, Michael "Bo" Bollech Gobin, Reilly John Gobin, Andrew Philip Gobin, Hailey (Tyler) Nicole Bentley, Parker Rose Boots, Ronnie Lowman, Megan (Justin) Kirk; great grandchildren, Paisley, Kassidy, and Brayden; nieces, Heather (Daniel) Fonseca , Kerry (Esteban) Barrantes; and grandnephew, Luca Barrantes.
Respects can be made to the family, Saturday, June 24, 2023, anytime from 12pm – 4pm at Leipsic Volunteer Company, 318 Main Street, Leipsic Delaware.
If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or Delaware Hospice.
To share a fond memory of Walter or to offer a condolence to his family, please visit ambruso.com. Life End Services by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director, Inc., Dover.