Obituary of Walter Siegmund
Walter P. Siegmund left this world on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 two months short of his 87th birthday. Walter was born in Bremen, Germany in 1925 and came to the United States in September 1930 with his mother and brother to join his father who was already here. The family resided in Rochester, New York and Walter attended the public schools including Benjamin Franklin High School where he met his future wife, Lois Schramm, in the ninth grade. He obtained a scholarship to the University of Rochester where he pursued his studies in the sciences until joining the Navy in 1944. Walter returned to the University of Rochester after the war and received his PhD in optics and physics in 1952. He married Lois in 1950 and the couple would have celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on June 29, 2012.
Moving to Southbridge, Massachusetts in 1953, Walter became research assistant to Dr. Brian O'Brien at the American Optical Company. One of the many interesting projects he worked on was the development of a wide-screen film projection process known as Todd-AO. Walter continued to work at American Optical in research and development particularly in the field of fiber optics. Over the years, his department was purchased by several other companies and when he retired in 1993 he was Director of Research and Development at Schott Fiber Optics in Southbridge. Walter made many significant contributions to the field of optics, particularly to fiber optics, and was awarded as many as fifty-five patents throughout his life. He encouraged and mentored many young people both in science and in life.
Once retired, Walter, along with Dr. Eli Peli of Schepens Eye Research Institute, received a grant to develop and manufacture a fiber optic magnifier. Starting his own small business, TaperVision, in Pomfret, Connecticut was one of Walter's most rewarding professional achievements and he loved solving problems as they came along.
A true gentleman and an incurable romantic, Walter's life contained many wonderful experiences. He and Lois traveled extensively both before, but especially after their retirements. They enjoyed classical music together, reading the New York Times, and conversing endlessly about politics, science, and life in general. Poetry became an important vehicle for self-expression for Walter later in his life and he thoroughly enjoyed writing and reading his poems for friends and family.
Walter leaves his wife, Lois, of Brooklyn, Connecticut and his three children: Paul, of Falmouth, Massachusetts and his grandson, Alexzander; Lisa, of Hampton, Connecticut; and Kurt of Pomfret Center, Connecticut and his wife, Diane, and daughter, Clara. Additionally, he leaves his older brother, Ernst, of Webster, New York, his niece Susan, of Webster, New York, his niece, Laurie Anderson and her family, David, Denise, Chelsea, and Kara of Ontario, New York. Lastly, he leaves his many friends and colleagues, who, over the years, meant so much to him.
Services at a later date. To share a memory with his family "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com
Arrangements by Smith and Walker Funeral Home, Putnam, CT.