Walter Andrew Bettcher's Obituary
Walter Andrew “Walt” Bettcher was born July 18, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Walter F. and Magdalene (née Miller) Bettcher. As an only child, he romped with friends and his dog, worked his Erector sets, and watched his beloved Cleveland Indians (who peaked far too early in his life). After graduating from Dyke College, he enrolled in Army Officer training and was posted to Vietnam. His calm and bravery during an ambush would later earn him an Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device and a 2018 induction into the Ohio Military Hall of Fame. Upon his return, Walt fell in love with Dolores Sonoski, a nurse from western Pennsylvania with eyes like the sky. Her warmth and steadfastness complemented his animated personality. They married on April 27, 1974, and built a life in Strongsville, Ohio, raising two daughters— Catherine and Susan—while he established his long career with the Internal Revenue Service. He remained a lifelong congregant of the Lakewood United Methodist Church.
One word best captures Walt’s energies: Volunteer. Even after he returned from service to his country, he stepped up many times a year to donate pint after pint of blood, for decades. He channeled his many hobbies into volunteerism as well. Not one to rest on his impressive home train collection, Walt volunteered to run model trains at the Strongsville Historical Society, delighting children with the whistle and smoke of elaborate set-ups. The proud owner of a 1926 Buick coupe, Walt served as treasurer for the Northeast Ohio Buick Club of America. Post-retirement, he volunteered in Florida with the Marine Discovery Center and the National Park Service: he led canoe trips in the Indian River Lagoon at Canaveral National Seashore and waded out to help students identify the creatures that wriggled in the brackish shallows. His generosity of spirit was ever-present for his community, in countless other ways.
Walt and Dolores enjoyed lifelong friendships with many who shared in their interests and in their life story. Though his physical excursions were limited— he kept mostly to central Florida and the wilds of Ontario— Walt traveled the world through vibrant conversations with friends, family, and strangers. He was ever curious about distant cultures, histories, and landscapes, as also seen in his unbroken collection of National Geographic magazines. To spend time with him was always entertaining: as he waved his hands around and spoke (never quietly), you quickly learned of his many likes and dislikes. The couple eventually resettled in Bay Village, Ohio, where his growing flock of grandchildren renamed him “Bub”.
Looking back, the Volunteer we remember the most was the one who stepped up for his grandchildren. Bub was a fixture at their sporting events, school plays, and music performances. He helped them build bonfires and taught them to run the Wally Bee through the marina out to Lake Erie. After a lifetime of summer catches on the Upper French River in Ontario (possibly his favorite place in the world), “fishing” for this proud angler now consisted of six grandchildren clamoring “Bub! Over here! Bub!” while he stumbled around the boat helping them to replace worm after worm, or to unhook yet another pilfering little rock bass . . . all while the big walleye that he should have caught drifted blissfully past. But hours later, a timeless evening memory: our Bub floats off the dock on his back, his belly (full of fried perch and blueberry pie) rising above the water, while Madie, Rajan, Ellie, Malini, Josie and Leo splash him and whack him over the head with a pool noodle. He pretends to protest. Laughing at the chaos are Cathy and Susie, his sons-in-law Praveen and Gabe, and a nearby loon. In the slanting sunlight sits his beloved Dolores on the dock; she looks on, still smitten, and takes a deep breath of piney air.
Walt died peacefully in Ann Arbor, Michigan on October 3, 2025. He was 82. His memory will be cherished by his wife of 51 years, Dolores Bettcher; their daughter, Catherine Bettcher and her husband, Praveen Dayalu; their daughter, Susan Galang and her husband, Gabriel Galang; and their six grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Walt's memory to Friends of Canaveral or Wounded Warrier Project.
Visitation is Monday, October 13, 2025, from 10 AM – 12 PM at Sunset Memorial Chapel, 6245 Columbia Road, North Olmsted, OH 44070, where the funeral service will follow at 12 PM.
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?
