Walt Staehle, Class of 1972, Needs a Kidney
submitted by Kurt Spielmann, Class of 1972
Walt Staehle was very active at Trinity, active in Boy Scouts, became an Eagle Scout, and won several scouting and church awards. He raised two sons, one of whom still serves as a US Navy Captain. If he’s lucky to receive a kidney, he’s the kind of person who would continue to give back to society as long as he’s able. In that picture of 8 kids in a line, Walt is the guy in the middle wearing the maroon shirt. I’m the guy on the right in the trench coat on our high school trip to Germany in ‘72.
Here is more information from John Dunne, a college classmate of Walt's. Walt Staehle, our beloved classmate, needs our support. A 1976 graduate with an A.B. in Economics and English, Walt is originally from Hicksville, NY. During his time at Muhlenberg, he was a dedicated member of the Varsity Football and Track Teams for all four years, served as Senior Class President, delivered the Convocation Speech, and won several awards. He also led our Pledge Drive and was known for his memorable performances in Intramural Basketball, often fouling out with gusto.
Walt married fellow Muhlenberg alumnus, Loran Duemmel (Staehle), a member of the Class of 1975. The couple met on campus in 1973. Together, they have two sons: Chris, a 2004 graduate of Muhlenberg and a bank executive at Bank of America, who lives in Delaware, and Karl, a 2006 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, who currently commands all EOD training units and is stationed at Fort Story, Virginia.
Walt is now retired, but he spent most of his career in the Lehigh Valley, where he held key roles at Kraft Foods and Siemens Industry in Plant Management, Manufacturing Systems, and National Strategic Account Management. A highly respected executive in manufacturing and technology, he led teams at seven manufacturing networks and three headquarters locations. He earned his master’s in business management from Central Michigan University and furthered his education at The Wharton School and Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
A committed alumnus, Walt has given generously to Muhlenberg College in time, talent, and resources. In 2002, he received the Alumni Achievement Award for Service to the Alumni Association and is a member of the Cardinal and Grey Society, and the Henry Melchior Muhlenberg Society. Walt has also been honored as a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Citizen of the Year, a Bronze Medalist from the Sons of the American Revolution, and a recipient of a Bronze Medal from the Four Chaplains Memorial.
An avid cyclist, Walt had been eagerly anticipating exploring the scenic roads and parks of the Lehigh Valley in his retirement. However, health challenges have recently changed the course of his plans. Walt is now in urgent need of a kidney transplant. He has met all 23 criteria on the waitlist, which are key to ensuring the best transplant outcomes, but he still requires a living donor.
If you are interested in helping Walt, please contact Temple University Health at 215-707-8889 to learn more about their Living Kidney Donor Program. You can also find more information on the program and Walt’s surgical director, Dr. Antonio DiCarlo from the Katz School of Medicine, here: https://www.templehealth.org/services/transplant/kidney-transplant/living-kidney-donation
Despite the challenges he faces, Walt is confronting his situation with an unwavering positive attitude. Let’s come together to support Walt during this critical time, embodying the spirit of community and compassion that defines us. With advances in medical science, the success rates for kidney transplants are extraordinary, and I encourage you to reach out to Walt to offer your support or encouragement in any way that’s comfortable for you.
Let’s rally together, so we can all enjoy many more years of life, shared as a community.
Walt’s Contact Information:
1754 Penns Crossing
Allentown, PA 18104
484.273.6964This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
