Walter E. Malmer

Frankfort - Planning an elaborate champagne tasting until the last weeks of his life, Walter E. Malmer, 84, died April 15 after a long illness. He loved watercolors, quilts, sculpture, pocket watches, railroad uniform buttons, Kentucky, James Taylor, the Dixie Chicks, the pre-Trump GOP, bouillabaisse, garlicky Polish sausage, country ham, and singing “God Bless America” any time the mood took him. He leaves behind a host of hungry squirrels, cardinals, blue jays and raccoons who congregated outside his kitchen window daily. Mr. Malmer was a colorful figure: one of the first in Frankfort to have a phone installed in his car in the 1970s. He relished planning exotically themed parties with the Frankfort Gourmet Club. A bon vivant, he wore bright shirts and ties, had more shoes than most women, and took great pleasure in food, wine, candlelight, and flowers. He taught his children to enjoy life, especially music, food and travel. He was born in Youngstown, Ohio, graduated from Kent State University with two degrees, married his college sweetheart, and joined the Air Force as a fighter pilot and flight instructor between the Korean War and Vietnam. A charter member of the Home Builders Association of Frankfort, he served as president three times, was elected president of the state association, and became a Life Director of the National Association of Home Builders. He built hundreds of homes and apartments around the Bluegrass, including RiverBend and Thistleton. He is survived by his brothers Michael of Louisville, Colo., and Ralph (Marcia) of Canfield, Ohio; three children, Ann O’Neill (Michael), Victoria Malmer (Paul), and Stephen; and his ex-wife Sally Malmer Wilbraham. He has two grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. He also is survived by his long-time companion, Joyce Riddle. He asks that you lift a glass in his memory and in lieu of flowers, consider an act of kindness: call a distant friend or relative, or visit a nursing home or someone homebound. If you’d like to receive details of his upcoming life celebration, email flavors2go+walter@gmail (dot com) Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home.

Tributes

Walter E. Malmer

July 14, 1933 - April 15, 2018