Walter Chmielewski

Walter S. Chmielewski , age 88, passed away on Thursday, September 1st, 2016, at Meriter Hospital. He was surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on October 12, 1927, in Saginaw, MI to Stefan and Anna (Cegielski) Chmielewski. He had one younger brother, Jerome, who was his best friend throughout life. Despite being miles apart throughout most of their lives, they wrote each other weekly and talked on the phone nightly.
Walter was a very hard working, dedicated and intelligent man. He love to learn and was extremely well read in many areas. He worked his way through under graduate (Michigan State), graduate (University of Michigan) and doctoral school (West Virginia University) earning his PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He also served in the United States Marine Corp.
Over Walter's career he worked for Dow Chemical, General Electric for many years, the University of Wyoming, The Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, as a private consultant for the Mayor of Milwaukee and most recently as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UW-Platteville from 1981-1996. Teaching students was his passion.
Walter married Marcia Aldrich in April 1964 and together they had one daughter. Married for almost 25 year, and divorced for 20 years, they once again became friends and Walter was extremely supportive of Marcia in the last 2 years of her life.
Walter was a proud member of the Polish Heritage Alliance of Wisconsin and the Polish Heritage Club in Madison.
Walter is survived by his daughter Stefanie (Gordon "Fritz") Statz; his two grandsons, who were the love of his life, Nicholas and Matthew Statz and many cousins in Michigan and Poland.
He was preceded in death by his parents, former wife and brother.
There will be no funeral service per Walter's wishes. For those who truly know Walter, you are smiling knowing this is "typical Walter".
Memorials may be made to the Polish Heritage Club of Madison, PO Box 45438, Madison, WI 53744-5438.
The family sends a special thank you to Michelle and Deb at All Saints Neighborhood as well as all his neighbors who "kept an eye on him" this past year.


Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
608-238-3434