Walter F. Eichman

Walter Frank Eichman, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, at the age of 96 +9 months, surrounded by his loving family in Madison, Wisconsin. Walter was born at home with the aid of a Midwife, on November 19, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Walter John Eichman and Anna Eichman (née Kusmierkewicz).

 

Walter was fondly called " Sonny" by his Mom, nicknamed "June" by his brother in law and close buddy " Uncle" Johnny, who was like the older brother that Walter never had, being nearly 20 years his senior. Frank Paciga, his best friend for 50 years, always called him " Vaj" ( Vodge), in loving reference to both their Polish heritage, and Walter's name as it is in Polish language is Waclawsz. Walter's father and father in law all shared the same name Walter. Walter's father in law migrated as a native born in Poland, as did his mother in law Cecylia.

 

Walter's paternal grandfather migrated from West Phalen Germany around the mid 1800s.

 

 Walter’s life spanned remarkable decades filled with love, laughter, and service to others. He found his life partner in Florence Ann ( Florentina Lotti in Polish) Martynowicz, marrying on May 7, 1950, and spent more than 72 years with her before her passing on March 7, 2020. Walter saw Florence from across the room at a Community Dance Hall. It was Love at first sight, and he decided instantly that she was THE girl he wanted to become his wife.

 

He dedicated 35 years of his life to Commonwealth Edison, retiring in 1987, where he worked tirelessly, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues. Walter’s first job title at Edison as a boiler mechanic required him to work inside the 200 ft. tall stacks which exhausted and filtered the pollution from the energy generators. Walter worked inside on ladders upon catwalks scrubbing the inside walls of these stacks, in 180-degree temperatures. He also had to collect the ash residue at the bottom of the stack to remove it. His second job title at Edison, he transferred at age 40 to a less physically demanding job as an Electrical Operator. He was responsible for all the switching stations which powered the entire city of Chicago. Before his tenure at Commonwealth Edison, Walter’s work journey included time at the Colony Movie Theatre, Englander Mattress, and Banker's Dispatch, all in Chicago.

 

A proud veteran, Walter served in the United States Navy, he enlisted in 1945, where he played a significant role during A-bomb testing. His service took him to San Diego, Washington State, and Alaska, instilling in him a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature and the importance of community service.

 

Walter was not only a dedicated employee but also a devoted community member. He served as Commander for American Legion Post #606 in Hebron, Illinois, and held the position of village trustee for Wonder Lake, Illinois. His faith was paramount in his life; he served as an elder in 3 Lutheran churches, in separate decades, and was baptized as an infant at Saint John of God Catholic Church, Chicago. He had memberships and /or regular involvement in 7 Christian churches over his lifetime. Walter and Florence volunteered to deliver for Meals on Wheels for a full year, as an elder senior himself, among the hundreds of prior volunteer hours for churches and Communities, embodying his faith in action and spirit of giving and compassion.

 

Throughout his life, Walter had a plethora of hobbies and interests. He was an avid lover of music, frequently enjoying artists like the Pointer Sisters, Crystal Gayle, and Roger Whittaker, Andy Williams, The Mills Brothers, The Andrew Sisters and many more. Among Walter's most watched tv shows were Lawrence Welk, Gunsmoke, Benny Hill, Family Classics and Creature Feature. He grew up watching the many Marx Brothers movies, Laurel and Hardy, and later Abbott and Costello. Inspired by his idol, J. Edgar Cayce, he had a lifelong belief that people were connected energetically and mentally. Walter was a devout Christian and a consistent presence in his church community, inspired by his faithful devout parents. They were very Faithful and attended church weekly. Walter and his sister Loraine had a very tight loving relationship with each other and their parents; growing up during The Great Depression made them value every penny and scrap that was found while walking, as it was common to walk miles every week, to go anywhere, to save on bus fare. His creative spirit flourished through woodworking, inventing, and various handyman tasks around the house. Walter invented a sewer valve for the basement of his home in Chicago that kept the flood waters and heavy rain coming into the basement. He also made several rainwater valves for several other neighbors on his block. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, and even had a talent for hunting, cherishing the great outdoors.

 

Walter always had a close and very emotional bond with all of his dogs. His childhood dog Skippy walked him and his sister to and from grade school every single day, on the south side of Chicago, from their family home on Troop Street. Skippy was an exceptionally bright dog and she stopped at each corner block, looking out for traffic before crossing.

 

Walter was a proud member of The Chi-Phillies boys club, which boasted 50 members, joining as a teenager. Remarkably, All the original members stayed in lifelong contact spanning decades. They played baseball together at the local Chicago Public parks, swam, movie theaters, and frequented dances at community night clubs ( no alcohol). Wally, as his friends called him, is/was the last living survivor of the 50.

 

Walter's love for the environment was evident in his nurturing attitude towards all living creatures, teaching his children to appreciate every aspect of nature, including spiders, often allowing them to crawl up his arms and in his hands. His popular quotes, "Never give up" and "Be a leader, not a follower," encapsulated his approach to life and an enduring role model for his children.

 

These mottos served as a guiding light for those who knew him. 

 

  In addition to his parents, Walter and Anna and the love of his life, Florence, Walter is preceded in death by his beloved son, Wayne Paul Eichman; his cherished dogs, Skippy, Pudgie, Trixie, Taffy and Muffy; his sister, Loraine Perillo (Chorba); and his Poland born mother-in-law, Cecylia "Bushie" Martynowicz, who ran a grocery store in her home with her husband. Also preceding Walter in death are his brothers-in-law, Frank (Irene) Martynowicz, Uncle Johnny Chorba, Michael Perillo, sisters-in-law, Harriet (Raymond) Pawlak, Rita ( Paul) Paciga, and nieces and nephews, Barbara (Harold) Ċox, Raymond Pawlak, and Lance (Mary) Pawlak.  

 

He is survived by his three loving daughters: Alea ”Linda” (Robert) Cunningham of Santa Barbara, CA, Doreen Long (Bill) Dodge of Whitewater, WI, and Marie (Greg) Badgley of Wonder Lake, IL. Walter is a proud grandfather to Cecelia (Louis) Long of Wichita, KS, Jesse Long of Hebron, IL, and Jeneva (Jakob) Long of Ithaca, NY. He also leaves behind nieces and nephews, Sharon (Wallace) Conlon, Terry (Joyce) Martynowicz, Gail (Dale, Doug, and son Danny) Lang, Billy (Margie) Pawlak, Susan Paciga, John Paciga, Robert Paciga, Sandra Paciga, a niece, Corrie Ann Chorba, and a great-niece, Laura Chorba, who will all miss him dearly.

 

 Wally had a special close relationship with his oldest nephew Billy Pawlak, and they also had both served in The Navy in different decades. " Uncle Wally" was also Godfather to his nephews Terry Martynowicz and Robert Paciga.

 

Walter spent many joyful summers on the 8 acres of land he owned in Kingston, IL, creating lasting memories with family and friends. He owned 2 horses named Rebel and Big Red. Incredibly, Walter always found time to help extended family, friends and neighbors, in spite of frequently working 16 hour work shifts and occasionally 24 hour shift at the Energy Plant. Walter built a tree house up high in a 100 year Old Oak tree and a Deer Hunting Stand in another tree on his 8 acre country weekend retreat. Also built a clubhouse for his kids in the backyard of his Chicago home. His private unique summer trailer home in Kingston, held a deep love that he created with his wife and four children. His legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering strength will continue to inspire all who had the privilege to know him.

 

Walter was always proud to state that he had owned 10 total properties in his lifetime, 4 of these which were his homes he lived in different decades of his married life. The key reason behind his obtaining of these being his pride that he inherited nothing from anyone and him and his wife had sacrificed and saved so scrupulously to accomplish these mutual goals.

 

A funeral service to honor Walter’s life will be held at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, on September 18, 2025, at 1:00 PM. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and go until time of services. Friends and family are encouraged to share their memories and celebrate the remarkable life of this extraordinary man.

 

Walter Frank Eichman will be deeply missed but forever remembered for his warmth, wisdom, and the countless lives he touched throughout his journey. May he rest in peace.  

 

Nitardy Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Eichman family during this time.