Walter R. Prest, Jr.

Walter R. Prest, Jr. age 84, Mercer Pike, Meadville PA, died on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 , at home, surrounded by his loving family.  He enjoyed a full life, with many interesting opportunities and events.

Walter was born in Providence RI on April 30, 1938, and moved to North Attleboro where he grew up and went to school, graduating in 1956.  He attended Northeastern University in Boston for three years, majoring in industrial engineering.  He was employed by C I Hayes, Inc. of Cranston RI, worked first as a technical writer, field service engineer, and was later promoted to sales, covering the state of Ohio.  He was drafted into the US Army in 1962, served two years at Ft. Bragg, NC, in HQCO, 3rd US Army.  On discharge in 1964, he returned to work at CI Hayes, and he completed his education at Roger Williams University’s night school in 1967, with a BS degree in Industrial Technology.  He was then employed by Sunbeam Equipment Corp. of Meadville (later SECO/Warwick Corp.) as a project engineer.  He designed industrial vacuum furnaces for them until his retirement in 1999.

Walt was very involved with the US Jaycee organization after his time in the army, serving as secretary and then president of the North Attleboro chapter.  When he moved to Meadville he joined that chapter and became secretary, to meet folks.  He worked on many Meadville Jaycee projects and helped organize the Saegertown Jaycee Chapter, serving as its first president and was later awarded the U S Jaycee Senatorship  (lifetime member).  Walt met his wife Ruth at a Jaycee Banquet in 1977 and they were married in 1978.

Walt and Ruth designed their log home, chose a supplier of materials located in Maine, hired a local contractor to build it, and moved in in 1980, within two months of delivery of materials.

Walt’s hobbies and interests were extensive, including wind surfing, sailing, roller and ice skating, bowling, golf, shooting sports with pistol, rifle and shotgun, building and flying radio controlled model aircrafts, and perhaps most notably alpine skiing.  He started skiing in his mid-40’s and he kept track – he skied in over 120 different ski areas, in 17 states, in 7 countries on 3 continents!  Memorable ski trips included many in Canada, also Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Bulgaria and New Zealand!  He skied the black diamonds and even raced Nastar in his younger years!  He continued downhill skiing into his 80’s.

Walt was a member of Meadville, Erie, Shenango Valley, Pittsburgh, Westmoreland, and the Over 80 ski clubs, and he enjoyed arranging and leading ski trips to seven countries.    He was elected vice president of the Western PA Ski Council and served in that capacity over five years.

Walt and Ruth loved animals and had several cats early in their marriage, but since they built their log home, they have had 13 dogs, a few at a time, during their years together.  Of those, eight were registered as “therapy dogs” and they did many visits to nursing homes, hospitals, schools and libraries.  Walt is survived by their current dogs, McLean, Poppy, Bandit, and most recently a “foster failure”, Smokey was added in May 2022.  All of the dogs are also missing their ”dad”.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, of Meadville, and his children and grandchildren – Mark Prest and his wife, Margie, (daughter, Shawnasee and son, Justin); daughter Kimberly Hissick and her husband Tom (daughters Katie, Lori and Makenna); daughter Shari Boger and her husband Jeff (daughter Nichole and son Tyler); son Glenn Prest and his wife Melanie (son Benjamin) and son Craig Prest and his husband Aaron.  He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Laura Prest and his younger brother, John Prest from MA.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robert W. Waid Funeral Home.  There will be no visitation hours, but friends and family are invited to attend a memorial celebration of Walt’s life, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 at 1:30 PM at the First Presbyterian Church on Liberty Street in Meadville, with a reception for guests to follow in the church fellowship hall.  Rev. Dr. Brian Jensen will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Because You Care animal rescue, 6041 West Rd, McKean PA 16426 or Tamarack Wildlife Rehab Center, 21601 Stull Rd., Saegertown PA 16433, or the community organization of choice.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net