Walter Rene Schirber

Talcottville- Walter Rene Schirber, 85, husband of the late Judith K., passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, after a brief illness, at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital, New Hartford, while surrounded by the loving care of his daughter.

Affectionately known by his friends as Walt, he was born in New York City, NY, on August 11, 1938, a son of Hans W. and Clara Ebling Schirber. Shortly thereafter he traveled to Germany with his parents where they visited family, returning to the United States from Europe, aboard the very last boat, before WW II began. His family settled in Englishtown, NJ, where he grew up and graduated from Matawan High School, of Ardeen, NJ, with the Class of 1956. While in high school, Walt excelled at playing soccer. After high school, he attended and graduated from Muhlenberg College of Allentown, PA, Class of 1960, earning a Bachelor Degree in psychology.

On October 9, 1961, Mr. Schirber entered the U.S. Army, serving his country stateside, until honorably discharged on October 8, 1963, with the rank of Specialist Fifth Class. While serving he was a teacher of war subjects and also an Intelligence Analyst. After his active service, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves, during the Viet Nam War, until his honorable discharge, on September 30, 1967.

On November 19, 1965, Walter was united in marriage with Judith Kleese, in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This was a loving union of 55 years until Judy passed away on October 25, 2021. After their marriage, the couple settled in Freehold, NJ, and Walter began his working career with Jersey Central Power and Light, before going on to a successful career in selling commercial real estate, in New Jersey. In 1978, when he and his wife, Judy, moved to Talcottville, he took a hiatus from real estate and opened Schirber and Daughter General Electric Appliance Store, in downtown Boonville. Later, he returned to work in selling residential real estate in Rome and Utica; in 1983, Mr. Schirber returned to the commercial and industrial real estate business in New Jersey, commuting from Talcottville to New Jersey each week.

Shortly after their marriage they acquired their first dog, a Samoyed named “Kiska.” This dog marked the beginning of their long-time love of dogs and dog sledding. Their purpose in moving to the Boonville area was to race their dogs on the plentiful snows of nearby Tug Hill and the couple also attended racing events in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Walter was an active member of New Jersey, Artic, Mohawk Valley and Pennsylvania sled dog clubs, some of which he founded. While in New Jersey, Mr. Schirber was instrumental in the creation of the original dog sled trail in the Pine Barrens region, a trail system that continues to be used by sled dog teams.

For a number of years Walter served on the board of directors of the Lewis County Humane Society and as chairman of the Woodsmen’s Field Days canoe and kayak committee. He was a current member of the Canal Museum of Boonville, board of directors.

Walter is survived by his daughter and son in law, Christina (John) Gates, Remsen; grandchildren, Evalyn, Lydia and Nathan, all of Remsen; sisters in law, Melissa (Rick) Lee, Emmaus, PA, Elizabeth Kleese, San Diego, CA, and Deborah Kleese (Dave Litsenberger), of Ely, MN and nieces and a nephew.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 12 Noon at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St, Boonville, where visitation hours will be held on November 3, from 10:00 A.M. until the services. Interment will follow in Boonville Cemetery, where members of Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post VFW and The Tun Tavern Marine Corps League, all of Boonville, will confer Military Rites. A celebration of life will follow the cemetery services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Black River Canal Museum or to the Lewis County Humane Society, P.O. Box 682, Lowville, NY 13367.