Person:Walter Weber (2)

Hibbing Daily Tribune, The (MN) - November 12, 2004

PHOENIX, Ariz. ' Walter Peter Weber, 91, of Phoenix, Ariz., passed away Monday, Nov. 8, 2004. Interment will be at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, Calif. He was born the fourth of seven children in St. Paul on June 17, 1913, and spent his childhood in St. Paul and Jordan, Minn. At the age of 17, he began working for Butler Brothers, a mining company, where he became the chief accountant and office manager while attending night school at the University of Minnesota. When Butler Brothers was acquired by Hanna Mining Company, he and his family moved to Hibbing where he worked as administrative assistant to the general manager. He was transferred to the main office in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1956 to serve as the administrative assistant to the vice president of operations. In 1961, he was named manager of lands and leases, and in 1965 was elected vice president of mineral properties. In 1969, he was elevated to senior vice president of properties and government affairs. He retired at the age of 65 after 48 years of service. He and his wife, Irene, retired to a summer home on Lake Pokegama in Grand Rapids, and a winter home in Phoenix, Ariz. The lake house was a favorite place for their children and grandchildren to visit. Although he traveled the world and lived in Rocky River, Ohio, and Phoenix, Ariz., he was always a Minnesotan at heart. As such, his leisure activities included fishing, boating, hunting, golfing and gardening. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing baseball and singing in a barbershop quartet. He continued to sing and play the piano and the harmonica throughout his life. We will remember our dad and grandfather as a tireless worker, quiet-spoken, quick to smile, unfailingly courteous and a patient teacher and role model for his grandchildren. He is survived by his daughter, Joan Taipale of Bonita, Calif.; his son, Lawrence Weber of Bel Air, Md.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Irene. Arrangements are with the Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary of Bonita, Calif.