Walter A. Geidel, 69, passed away on July 31, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family in Walton, NY.

Walter was born on May 8, 1956, in Igloo, South Dakota, to Arthur Geidel and Joan Geisler.

Walter was a 1974 graduate of Delaware Academy, Delhi and a 1976 graduate of Delhi Tech (SUNY Delhi).   He served as the Town of Walton Highway Superintendent for 20 years after running a successful contracting business.

Walter was a proud and dedicated community servant spending nearly 50 years in the volunteer fire service. He was a member, officer, and commissioner of the Walton Fire Department serving as chief, assistant chief, captain, lieutenant, and the first president of the newly merged department.  He was also a past member of the Margaretville Fire Department and Scoresby Hose Fire Department in Ellenville. He served Delaware County as a long-time fire coordinator and fire investigator.  He was a member of the Delaware County Firefighters' Association, Central NY Firefighters' Association and the Firefighters' Association of the State of New York (FASNY) serving on multiple committees as well as 10 years as a trustee for the board of the FASNY Firefighters' Home on the Hudson.

You couldn't have a conversation with Walt (or Wally) without him somehow steering it toward The Flood of '96 when he was Incident Commander at the firehouse or the Flood of '06 when he was the highway superintendent trying to rebuild the roads.

Walter married the former Barbara McDaniel in Margaretville, NY on May 15, 1982. They shared a life (and the love of craft beer) for 43 years. He was the proud father of their daughter Stephanie (Matthew) Hazzard, son Kevin (Amber), and his beloved grandsons Eli, Paxton, Oliver, Grayson, and Adler.

Besides his wife, children and grandchildren he is also survived by his mother- and father-in-law Marilyn and George Vining, Margaretville, sister- and brothers- in law Susan Hohenhaus, John and Donna McDaniel, Mick and MaryBeth McDaniel, as well as many nieces (the boys) and nephews.

Walt was predeceased by his parents Rev. Arthur and Joan Geidel, sister Muriel and brother William along with his father-in -law John McDaniel Sr. and brother-in-law Jay Hohenhaus.

Besides serving his community, his favorite thing to do was to sit on the porch of his generational home in Pine Hill, NY with family and friends watching the 3 cars per day go by.  So, in lieu of flowers, please go out and find a way to serve your community in some way small or large, but also take time to sit on that porch with your loved ones, watching the world go by.

If you would like to make a donation in Walt's name, please consider the Walton Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Squad.

The service for Walter Geidel will be held on Tuesday August 5, 2025, at 4 PM with Pastor Paul Messner officiating at the Walton Fire department located at 61 West St, Walton, NY 13856.

Visitation will be from 4:30 PM to 6PM at the Walton Fire Department.

Courtney Funeral Home 25 Townsend Street Walton, NY 13856 is assisting the family. Please visit www.courtneyfh.com to express condolences.