"I had such great admiration for Marv for his business sense as well as the way he conducted his life in general. He was very supportive of me when I started with Dairy Queen here in Ames back in 1971, and his support continued throughout the years. The Ames Community has lost a great ambassador, and I feel I have lost a mentor and friend. "
In loving memory of
Marvin Joseph Walter
August 22, 1940 - June 1, 2011
Marvin J. Walter of Ames died Wednesday, June 1, after an 8 year struggle with multiple myeloma.
Marv was born on August 22, 1940 to parents, Regina and Ralph Walter. He was raised on a farm near Watkins, Iowa and graduated high school in Blairstown in 1958. He received two degrees in Animal Science at Iowa State University in 1962 and 1964.
Marv married Janice Gordon Walter on September 19, 1964. They spent five years in Chicago where Marv first worked for the American Meat Institute, then as a commodity broker on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. In 1968 they came back to start a meat related business with two partners. Over the years he operated Carriage House Meat, Provision Company and several affiliated businesses. On the state and national level, Marv was involved in several organizations related to the livestock and meat industry.
Marv and Jan have two daughters. Allyson (David Sprague) Walter, Jewell, Iowa and Stacy (Bill) Woodward, of Ames. He is also survived by three grandsons. Rob Doud, Billy Woodward and Grant Woodward. Two step grandchildren, Samantha Sprague and Jacob Sprague, a brother Russell (Sharon) Walter, Norway, IA, sisters Patricia (David) Jansma, Waco, TX and Kathy (Jim) Flemister, Plant City, FL, as well as, several nieces and nephews.
Marv was a very active member of the community, serving on boards and in organizations. He has for a number of years been on the First National Bank board and Chairman of the Board of Ames National Corporation. He was a Rotary member and President, served a number of years on the board of Mary Greeley Medical Center. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and cherished the lifelong friendships he made as a fraternity member. He was inducted into the National Alpha Gamma Rho Hall of Fame. He worked closely with active members of the fraternity every year.
Marv was involved in many Iowa State activities. He was on the Board of Governors and received the Order of the Knoll award for Distinguished Service. He also received the Floyd Andre award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture. He served as president of the ISU Alumni Association.
Marv had a special interest in young people and supported the 4-H programs. He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ames.
Marv loved tennis, golf, horseback riding, and spending time with family and grandchildren, at Clear Lake and Fountain Hills, AZ. He always wanted to be busy and on the move.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 6, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 2210 Lincoln Way, Ames with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service. A mass of christian burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 7 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with Father Jon Seda officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ag Pavilion Project/ISU Foundation or to Bliss Cancer Center at McFarland Clinic, 1111 Duff Ave., Ames.
Online condolences may be sent to www.grandonfuneralandcreamationcare.com
Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.
Tributes
"Jan and family - - Shirley and I send our sympathy to you and your daughters in the loss of Marv and, especially, our appreciation for him and his totally constructive life. You have much to be thankful for and proud of in having Marv as a key part of your lives."
"Dear Jan and family,
Just wanted you to know how very sorry we are to hear of Marv's passing. He was a hard working, strong man. I met Marv over 22 years ago when he and John Botos hired me on to Carriage House and I am still working there. God bless you as you morn your loss!"
"Jan and Family:
Roberta and I were saddened to hear of Marv's passing. He was an inspiration to many of us who were on the judging team and AGR pledge class with him. What he has done for Iowa State, Alpha Gamma Rho and the livestock and meat industries will live on forever. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family."
"Jan and Family:
Roberta and I were saddened to hear of Marv's passing. He was an inspiration to many of us who were on the judging team and AGR pledge class with him. What he has done for Iowa State, Alpha Gamma Rho and the livestock and meat industries will live on forever. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family."
"Walter family: My sympathy and prayers on Marv's passing.I met Marv through YPO and was in a forum for 10 or so years.His example of free enterprise ,high integrity and work ethic have been an inspiration throughout my career.He will be missed.R.I.P. my friend."
"To the Walters Family, I was very saddened by Marv's passing. I played softball with Marv in the early Seventies. We weren't the best team, but perhaps the most educated. The Carriage House days were full of great memories. Marv was a tremendous individual who excelled in many ways. He was a truly genuine person, caring greatly for his fellow man and always extending a helping hand. He will be missed. May God bless Marv and his family and friends during this time of remembrance"
"To Jan and Family - I have watched Marv's career from the first time we first met back in 1968. He has been a fine example to me of the power of the free enterprise system in which we are privileged to operate in this great country. Marv always put other people's needs above his own, and lived a life of integrity. You can be proud of the legacy he has left for you to enjoy. I am here for you as the need arises, and will be praying for you in the days ahead as you begn to adjust. "
"Jan, I'm devastated. The past five years my vacations were with Marv. Last year we had three and had already planned two more for this year. Marv is a devout Christian, which makes it easier for me. Last week he half-joking told me that he hoped he was going to heaven. I assured him he was - And if he didn't - At least all his friends would be in hell with him. Allyson and Stacy: You have received from Marv, the most precious gift a father can ever give to his childrenā?? His unequivocal love of your mother! "
"Stacy and Family- I did not know your dad, but from what I have heard and read I know he was and always will be a great man in every meaning of the word. As I said to you last week, nothing prepares you for this, expected or unexpected, but what I do hope is that in the short term your family, friends and faith give you strength to see you through this, and in the long term you are comforted by knowing that your dad is healthy again, and in a great place, and his presence will be all around you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and all those that your dad touched in so many special ways.
May God Bless You
Best Regards,
Chris Schmale and Family"
"Jan and family: Sue and I enjoyed our times with you and Marv at ISU events, and the leadership that Marv provided to the Board of Governors. His upbeat optimistic attitude was always apparent, even in the toughest of times. May God Bless you all."
"Walter family,My sympathy to you at this time, "
"To the Walters Family: So sorry to hear of Marv's passing.. Will always remember his happy demeanor when he was a waiter for the KDs.... Toughts and prayers to your family... "
"Jan & Family We offer the Walter family our condolences during this difficult time. "
"To Jan and Family,
So sorry to hear about Marv's passing. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. "
"Walter Family: Really sad to hear about Marv. I worked for Marv at Carriage House in the mid 70's and not only gained many many skills but most important was the friends I made for life. Marv helped pave the path for hundreds of people like myself and really seemed in some way everyone he touched he made a positive difference in there life. So to you Marv--A big thank you from my entire family. May you rest in peace."
"Walter Family: Really sad to hear about Marv. I worked for Marv at Carriage House in the mid 70's and not only gained many many skills but most important was the friends I made for life. Marv helped pave the path for hundreds of people like myself and really seemed in some way everyone he touched he made a positive difference in there life. So to you Marv--A big thank you from my entire family. May you rest in peace."
"Allyson, I'm sorry to read about your father's passing. My sympathies and prayers are with you and your family."
"A nice gentleman who greeted me w a smile when I would see him on my mail route when he lived on Country Club. Then I ran across him over on Pinehurst one day when I was helping out over there so I always made sure to redirect mail addressed to the former address because I knew that I would want to go the 'extra' step for someone I was sure would for others. I'm sincerely sorry to hear that he passed. My thoughts to all of you. May your memories keep you smiling and ease your grief."
"I remember the day that Marv came to ISU and AGR, with a baseball cap, and a plan for life. He was a self made man who never forgot where he came from, and knew the whereabouts of every AGR who attended ISU. He kept all of us up to date on the events that we might find interesting even though we were miles away. He was a true advisor who always told you what he thought even though you might not always agree with him. His choice of Jan as a life partner was marvelous, and how they complimented each other. We will truly cherish his life, and our memories. Thankfully he is now in heaven, and we are the better for having known and loved him. I will close as he might with, Thanks Pal"
"To the family:
Back in 1978, my brother Terry and I were going to school at Iowa State University. Marv and Jan had us over for dinner. At the time, we didn't know him well, only that he was Dad's cousin. He welcomed us into his home and we had a memorable evening. I will never forget it. He showed interest in us. He said,if there was anything he could do to help us out to let him know. Unfortunately, I only saw him a few times since then, the last being my grandmother Ann Walter's funeral in 2004. Although my wife and I will not be able to attend the services, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tim and Suzanne Walter
"
"To Jan & family: I lived with Marve from 1958 to 1962, first as a Pledge and then as a Brother and then in the summer of 1963 when I came back from law school for work for Cap Bentley at WOI Radio & TV. It was an honor and pleasure to have known " Walt" all these years and he will be sorely missed. Kenneth E, " Bauffy" Baughman PO Box 166 Monticello, Ill 61856 217-721-0858"
"To Jan & family: I lived with Marve from 1958 to 1962, first as a Pledge and then as a Brother and then in the summer of 1963 when I came back from law school for work for Cap Bentley at WOI Radio & TV. It was an honor and pleasure to have known " Walt" all these years and he will be sorely missed. Kenneth E, " Bauffy" Baughman PO Box 166 Monticello, Ill 61856 217-721-0858"
"To Jan & family: I lived with Marve from 1958 to 1962, first as a Pledge and then as a Brother and then in the summer of 1963 when I came back from law school for work for Cap Bentley at WOI Radio & TV. It was an honor and pleasure to have known " Walt" all these years and he will be sorely missed. Kenneth E, " Bauffy" Baughman PO Box 166 Monticello, Ill 61856 217-721-0858"
"Marv, or ā??uncle Marvā? as we sometime referred to him at Carriage House, was an important man in my life and always will be. Under his employ, I advanced my career, learned a trade, learned to manage, and was able to raise my two children. Why I did not have daily contact with Mr. Walter, he was responsible for all this. He provided employment to hundreds of central Iowans over the years and for that I will always be thankful to him. In my 16 years with Carriage House, I made some wonderful and lasting friendships, it was a memorable time working for him.
He obviously was very smart, but I also knew him to be aggressive in a cutting edge manner, a bit ahead of his time, and always looking forward to the next horizon. He was a great and loyal Cyclone fan, and his love of tennis was legendary. I am glad I never played him, he would have demolished me.
To Janice and his girls, you were truly the loves of his life, and you have my deepest sympathy for your loss. Thankfully his suffering is over and he can truly be at peace. Thanks again for everything you did for me and my family, ā??Uncle Marvā?.
"
"Marv was the founder and owner of Carriage House Meat and Provisions Company when I became a summer employee in 1973 between undergrad and grad school. My first job for Marv was boning hams on Dayton Road. The room was set at 50 degrees or whatever the USDA standard was at the time and I damn near froze to death as I have mentioned to him numerous times during our adult friendship many years later. Imagine cutting meat with metal gloves when you cannot feel anything in your fingers.
Unlike most first year grad students, I actually did know he was already legendary in the eyes of the ISU AnSci department, which by the way envied his ability to take their ideas and turn it into money.
I had spent the first part of the summer of 1973 listening to the Watergate trials while running lab tests for David Topel, who would later become Dean of the College of Agriculture. Quite honestly, I flunked as a chemist and they suggested I was a better meat cutter.
Hence my wonderful relationship with Marv which has lasted for these 38 years. Every year was the best with Marv but I must say that the last 10 years with Marv have enlightened the life of Forum 301 more than anything we have ever done elsewhere in our lives.
Marv was an amazing person, friend, and comrade in Agriculture. He once admonished me publicly to pursue a life of entreprenuerhip in science and I think I have followed his advice although not as truely independent as he might have scripted himself.
Marv was a truly remarkable guy. He was Yule Brenner tough, had the tennis accumen of Arthur Ashe, and the diplomacy of, well, Marvin Walter. I think the thing I admired most about an incredible Cyclone was that he was so loyal to his principles and so loyal to the truth, whatever the truth might yield. "
"Jan & family: I am so sorry to hear of Marv's passing. He was a wonderful man who loved his family, friends and the Ames Community. I feel honored to have been his secretary for many years. Marv was a wonderful employer and always very respectful to my family and me. May God comfort all of you during this difficult time. Sincerely "
"Much love to all of you in this moment of loss. "
"Walter Family:
Thanks for sharing Marv with so many of us. We all benefited from his wisdom, commitment, and honesty. He never lost sight of his faith, family, and friends as he achieved greater access, success, and progress. He was a true and committed family man, citizen of Ames, and ISU alumnus. Please know that he was loved and respected, and Marv will be missed...by many of us.
Please allow God to comfort you and all of us to be of service to you as you grieve and heal.
In Him-
Jeff and Peggy Johnson"