Walter R. Herbst

Walter R. Herbst, age 89 of Wayne, died peacefully on Friday, April 7, 2023. He came to the United States after World War II and was able to realize the American Dream through his hard work and perseverance.

Walter was born in Gottschee, Austria in 1933. His family was driven out of their home as a result of the events of World War II. . Eventually, he and his family arrived in a refugee camp in Europe and they were provided safe passage to America. His family settled in Queens, New York, where there were many other Gottschee refugees. Upon arrival in the United States, he barely spoke English, but successfully graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Queens and went on to earn his Engineering Degree from Manhattan College. He began his career with J.G. White and later moved to Hewitt Robbins before co-founding EDC, Inc.He operated that company for more than 45 years before selling it in 2011. He wasn't the type of man to sit still, however, and continued working as an engineer until 2020. Engineering was his life's work and passion. 

Walter met his wife, Maria (nee Melz) in Queens.  She was the younger sister of a good friend of his, and the two of them hit it off. They were married on May 12, 1956 at St. Mathias Church and set out to build a beautiful life together. Walter traveled extensively during his career, and Maria worked tirelessly raising their three boys. She will tell you that he was a great guy, a kind man, and they built a beautiful life together. His hard work and perseverance enabled them to buy a home in Wayne, NJ in 1965, Walter was a devoted husband, father, and family man who loved weekend barbeques and watching the young ones swimming in his pool. He and Maria were eventually blessed with six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him the greatest joy. He loved them all very much and they will each miss him dearly.

Walter did occasionally relax and when he did, he enjoyed reading history books and watching classic western movies on TV. He was a huge Mets and Jets fan and loved watching World Cup soccer. . He and Maria were also able to travel throughout the years and had gone back to visit Austria on several occasions. He truly had a good life.

Walter is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years; Maria of Wayne, their three sons: Walter and his wife Margaret, James and his wife Debra, and Robert, six grandchildren: Michael, Diana, Andrew, Eric, Jackson, and Tessa, as well as seven great-grandchildren: Julia, Emily, Ryan, Norah, Colin, Jonah, and Eva.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the CTC Academy, 125 Bauer Drive, Oakland,NJ 07436 would be appreciated.