Walter Theodore Mollenhour's Obituary
Walt Mollenhour passed away Tuesday, August 12th, eight days shy of turning 90. Walt resided at Rose Valley Assisted Care in Scappoose, Oregon until his death.
Walt lived during some very dramatic times. He would tell of going to the Chapman Grade School and walking home through Camp 1, where the Southwestern Rail Road Company had their repair yard. This was during the depression years when times were hard, and some families just struggled to survive. His family moved to Merrill, Oregon where Walt worked in the farm fields, and attended and graduated from high school in 1942.
In 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp, was trained as a Flight Engineer for the B-17 Bombers and was stationed in England during WWII, where he completed 28 bomb missions over Europe. After the end of the war, Walt returned to the Chapman area, and in 1946 married Laurel Engh. They had three children; Sandra, Scott, and Jackie.
Walt had several careers after the war, but his passion was being out in the woods on his bulldozer and cutting with his chain saw as a logger. After an accident where he lost an eye, Walt became a Real Estate agent for a short time, until being hired at Columbia County as a County Appraiser, of which he retired in 1985. Walt will be remembered by many for the many beautiful wood boxes he crafted out of the woods he loved.
Walt was preceded in death by his wife, Laurel, whom he had loved very much. He is survived by his 3 children, 11 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, as well as his younger brother, Glenn.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Columbia Funeral Home in St. Helens, Oregon on Friday, August 22, 2014 at 3:00 PM. Feel welcome to come and share with his family.
What’s your fondest memory of Walter?
What’s a lesson you learned from Walter?
Share a story where Walter's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Walter you’ll never forget.
How did Walter make you smile?