Obituary of Walter George Kachel

Walter G. Kachel, 87, of Great Falls, VA, passed away peacefully Monday January 25, 2021 . 

Born on February 6, 1933 in Long Beach, NY he was the son of the late George and the late Friedl Kachel. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Diana Kachel.

Walter, known by many as Wally, lived a very full life. He grew up on Long Island in Long Beach NY where his love of all things water began. He graduated from Long Beach High School and received his BA from Ohio Wesleyan University and a graduate degree in Education from the State University of New York. In his early professional years, Walter worked in yacht sales and as a commercial shellfisherman for a few years during the summer.  He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and served for two years. Wally was very proud of his Army service and remained active in veteran affairs.  He served as a Town of Islip Councilman and president of the East End Republicans Club for four years before pursuing a career as an educator for the Amityville, NY Unified School District for over 30 years. He also taught the Amityville School District’s GED program at night where he eventually became the director of Adult Education after having so much success assisting his students pass the GED. Wally was a past president of the Amityville Kiwanis club, a volunteer Fire Policeman in Amityville’s fire department and past board president of the Amityville Public library. He was also an accomplished boater, sailor, fisherman, skier, hunter and enjoyed traveling and being with his family.

He is survived by his sons Eric of Hingham, MA and Christian of Great Falls, VA, his sister Gretchen of Millville, NJ, five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews who all loved him very much.

A funeral service date will be announced once pandemic gathering restrictions are lifted.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC.