Walter G. Korntheuer
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"You are loved" was a treasured affirmation of Walter G. Korntheuer, who passed away peacefully at his home on the morning of February 26, in Naples, Florida, three months shy of his 100th birthday. Walter was a beacon of wisdom and guidance to his family and to the many, many others who had the pleasure of knowing him. If you knew Walter, it was easy to love him back dearly. He was a selfless, giving and principled man of deep faith. His kindness, compassion, sense of humor and ability to love unreservedly made him an incredibly special person. He had a heart as big as they come and a generosity of spirit that was an example to us all. It would not be unusual for the staff of a doctors' office or a rehabilitation facility to find a box of chocolates or a basket of goodies appearing after Walter left them, in thanks and appreciation for their care.
The son of Austrian immigrants Joseph and Mary Korntheuer, Walter was a Greenwich High School graduate who lived in Byram, Connecticut, before moving to Port Chester, New York. He graduated from the America Institute of Banking and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University and also attended the Graduate School of Business at New York University. He received an honorary doctorate from Mercy College in 1982. Walt served in the United States Army during WWII.
Walter Korntheuer was a senior vice president of the Bank of New York before becoming the president and chief executive officer of the Mamaroneck-based Union Savings Bank of New York. Later when the bank merged with the Dime Savings Bank of New York, he was appointed executive vice president and president of the Westchester/Rockland Division. His excellence in leadership in the banking and business community was matched by his charity and years of commitment to the founding and prospering of many not-for-profit, community service organizations in Westchester County, New York.
Walt's positions of responsible community service included the presidency of the United Way of Westchester; the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees of the Winifred Masterson Burke Rehabilitation Center in White Plains, New York; the vice chairmanship of Junior Achievement of Westchester; membership on the Board of Trustees of the Council for the Arts in Westchester; and membership of the Adoption and Children's Services, a division of the Family Services of Westchester, Inc. He also served on the Advisory Council of Pace University and was an active member of the Rotary Clubs in Scarsdale and White Plains, New York. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Westchester Community College Foundation and received a Medallion Award in 1986 in recognition of his leadership and service to the community.
Walter is survived by his loving wife, Barbara M. Korntheuer (aka Bobbie), to whom he was married for 69 beautiful years; his three children, William, Diane (Peter Grzybala) and Paul (Linda Griffith); two grandchildren, Kim Grzybala and Emma Korntheuer; and his wonderful nieces who treated them both like a second set of parents.
A memorial service and celebration of Walt's life will be held in Naples, Florida on June 20, 2020 at 1 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Naples. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Naples (250 Sixth Street South, Naples FL 34102), the Congregational Church in South Glastonbury (PO Box 187, South Glastonbury CT 06073), the Dennis Union Church (P.O. Box 2020, Dennis, MA, 02638) or a nonprofit organization of your choosing.