Harold Gray Walch, of Waldoboro, passed away after a brief period of declining health at his home on July 22. He was born in Waterbury, Conn., on Sept. 13, 1922, to Roy and Edith (Gray) Walch. Harry was a wonderful family man, a voracious reader, and a lifelong learner. In his childhood, he and his parents and younger brother Ray did a lot of visiting and traveling. His family drove across the U.S. in the summer of 1937, when gas was 12.5 cents per gallon on sale. In 1967, Harry took his wife and two daughters across the country, and gas was 21 cents per gallon in Michigan, but an outrageous 46 cents per gallon in Wyoming. We know some of these details because he kept a diary all his life, as did his brother and his mother. It was a running family joke that the real reason for documenting events in the diary was to win arguments.
Harry attended K-12 school in Waterbury, and having skipped a grade, entered Middlebury College as a 16-year-old in 1938. He became a member of the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, which was the alpha chapter that two of his forebears helped to create. When WWII began, Harry was drafted into the Navy, where he served on a signal boat in the Pacific. At war’s end, he returned to Middlebury, where he earned a BA in History. He earned a Master’s Degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. He taught junior high school geography, then Earth science for 30 years in Plainville, Conn.
Through a blind date arranged by mutual friends, he met and married Marie Billings of Seal Harbor on Aug. 14, 1948. They lived in Farmington, Conn., where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends. They felt extremely fortunate to have wonderful neighbors on Plainville Avenue. In 1998, they moved to Waldoboro in the same month that they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They lived in their own mobile home across the driveway from their older daughter.
One of the first things Harry did after moving to Maine was to get a library card at Waldoboro Public Library. He was an avid reader of non-fiction and a lifelong patron and supporter of public libraries. It is no surprise that both his daughters have served in public and school libraries for portions of their careers. A typical bag of books for Harry might include titles on U.S. History, the life of a wild turkey, how to make a terrarium, the biography of a current politician, and photos of the Maine coast.
Harry loved learning about Natural History, and particularly bird watching. Geology, especially gems and minerals was another of Harry’s interests, and he enjoyed giving gifts of jewelry using polished rocks and gems. He avidly awaited a variety of magazines he subscribed to, including Smithsonian, Cook’s Illustrated, Rocks and Minerals, and The Economist. His curiosity was boundless. He also loved talking to people in all walks of life. Folks always responded positively to his genuine interest in conversation and his generous spirit.
Harry was predeceased by his wife, Marie, who died in 2007; and brother Raymond, who died in 2012.
He is survived by daughters, Delia W. Mohlie and husband Ted of Waldoboro, and Abby W. Gilbert and husband Philip of Westford, Mass.; and grandchildren, Benjamin W. Mohlie and wife Alicia Ling, Eliza G. Mohlie, Tyler A. Gilbert and wife Didi, Cooper G. Gilbert, and Duncan W. Gilbert. He loved hearing their latest news and was keenly interested in their adventures.
There will be a gathering to celebrate Harry’s life during an open house from 3-6 p.m., Sat., July 27 at the home of Ted and Delia Mohlie, 295 Depot St., Waldoboro. A buffet will be served, and those who knew him are welcome to drop in. Folks who would like to be present for a toast to Harry and sharing of memories should plan to be present at 4 p.m.
At Harry’s request, there will be no funeral services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Waldoboro Public Library, 958 Main St., Waldoboro, ME 04572.
You are invited to share your condolences, memories and photos with the Walch family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro, is caring for the family.
