Walter Pagels

March 27, 1925 - September 18, 2021

SAN DIEGO — Walter Pagels, 96, of San Diego, CA, passed away quietly in his home on September 18, 2021, after a long battle with dementia. Born March 27, 1925 to William and Mary Pagels, he spent his early years in Batavia, NY and Toledo, OH. After high school, Walter enlisted in the Navy where he was trained as a radio technician. This experience motivated him to graduate from the University of Toledo with a degree in electronics engineering.

His first engineering job was for Westinghouse in Pittsburg, PA. There he met and married his wife, Janet Anne Hopkins in 1950. They moved to San Diego, CA in 1952 where they raised their three daughters. Walter worked for Convair and Teledyne Ryan for 40 years.

After retirement Walter pursued his passion for collecting, growing and selling aquatic plants. He traveled the world looking for new species to introduce to the industry. He was a founder and the first president of the International Water Garden Society and the Southern California Water Garden Society.

He will be sincerely missed by his three daughters and grandchildren: Lois Sczepaniak (John), Janet and Steve Skerritt (Joseph, Jenae and Zack), Cindy and Gary Sund (Travis and Evan). He is predeceased by his beloved wife Janet Anne, son-in-law Alan Sczepaniak and grandson Peter Sczepaniak.

An Honor Guard ceremony and funeral will be held at Miramar National Cemetery on October 7, 2021 at 9:00 AM. A reception will follow at the family home.

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