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Walter Rist

August 22, 2020
Kalamazoo, MI

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Age 90, passed away on August 22, 2020 at Alamo Nursing Home where he resided for over 6 years. He was born May 24, 1930 in Lodz, Poland to his German parents Adolph and Else (Behnke) Rist of Lodz, Poland. Walter emigrated from war torn Germany at the tender age of 21 with just a suitcase and a dream of becoming an American and settled in the metro Detroit area. Upon applying for citizenship, he was invited to join the U.S. Army and served for 16 months in the Korean War. He was married to Sighild Hoch (immigrant from Berlin, Germany) where they had Andrew Rist (Holly) of Kiev, Ukraine, and Audrey Curry (Edwin) of Portage, MI. Walter married Aileen Cote York (children Daniel York (Debbie) of Pottstown, PA and Carol (Lew) Evans of Racine, WI) on May 5, 1966 and combined their families and enjoyed 48 years of marriage. Walter worked as a toolmaker working for Schiller Corporation, Golnick, and then partnering with Leslie Fordham to start his own company, Radian Tool & Engineering now located in Troy, Michigan where he retired in 1995. Walter stayed connected to his German heritage and was a long time member and treasurer of the Detroit Schwaben Unterstuezungs Verein, an affiliate of the German-American Cultural Center. He and Aileen were also members of First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Clemens where Walter served as an elder, was in the chancel choir along with the handbell choir. Walter had a zest for music, boating, biking, camping and traveling the world. He attended many a music concert of his children and grandchildren. When Walter and Aileen settled in the Kalamazoo area in 2003, they were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Portage, where he was a member of the choir. Walter is preceded in death by his wife, parents, and siblings, Theodore (Gertrude) Rist, Elisabeth Rist, Harry (Lily) Rist, and George (Vera) Rist. He is survived by his sister Magdalene (Gerhard) Schiemann along with his children, ten grandchildren, and five great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Walter's family would like to thank his caregivers at Alamo Nursing Home where he was considered family and delighted the residents and staff with his singing and sense of humor. Walter will be interred at Fort Custer National Cemetery at a private family service sometime in the future. Donations can be made to Alamo Nursing Home (designate for activities). To view Walter's personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com