Obituary of Walter C. Haller

HALLER

Walter Carroll was born during the Depression on Nov 22, 1925 in Louisville, Kentucky and raised in the Madisonville neighborhood of Cincinnati. He graduated from Withrow University High School and the University of Cincinnati.  Walter gratefully credits the GI Bill for his opportunity to receive a college education.  He proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Walter was preceded in death by his little brother Eugene “Geno” Haller (died at 3 yrs old), parents, Walter E. Haller and Edna M. Haller, son Scot K. Haller (died at 35 yrs), his wife Deidre Ann Haller of nearly 20 years, wife Diane, and wife Micke Haller Lott, mother of his three children.

Walter is survived by his twin daughters Lisa Haller (Michael Kelley) of Nashville and Linda Haller Sloan (Jack Sloan) of Longboat Key, Florida and Jerry Bloom (partner to son, Scot) of Los Angeles.  Walter also is survived by stepsons Duff Sharp (Meg), Christopher Sharp (Heather) and stepgrandchildren Gregory, Charlie, Benjamin, Danielle of Cincinnati; relatives Charles and Joyce Lynn of Louisville, the Hamer/Critelli/Holmes family of Florida and extended family. Walter had a very strong work ethic his entire life with a successful professional career until retiring at age 70.  He had a lifelong sense of responsibility and devotion to family.  Walter valued truth, respect, quality craftsmanship, good diction and doing what’s right.  An avid tennis player and traveler, he enjoyed sports especially Major League Baseball (MLB) and college basketball (U.C. Bearcats), dining with friends and family, and the beaches and spoonbills of Longboat Key, Florida, where he had a condominium for over 35 years.  Walter appreciated the performing arts and abstract and contemporary architecture and design. Walter's love of baseball began as a child when on May 24, 1935, when his Father, a taxi cab driver, took Walter to Crosley Field for MLB's first night game under the lights.  President Franklin Roosevelt symbolically flipped the switch from the White House.  Walter has been recognized as one of the longest living Cincinnatians to witness this significant achievement in sports history. 

Tall and handsome, Walter was athletic and enjoyed great health for nearly 92 years.  Always determined to stay active, he completed physical therapy just hours before passing. Walter cherished his longtime private nurse, Lanna Patrice Whitlock, who gave Walter the gift of deep friendship, intellectual repartee and unconditional compassionate care. Walter touched his family, friends, colleagues and Indian Creek neighbors in so many ways.  Walter was honest, honorable, kind, gentle, smart, and very humble.  Above all, Walter was a gentleman. We join together to hold Walter close to our hearts, to carry his values forward and to find inspiration through his life story.   

Celebrating Walter with a visitation on Tuesday, November 21st from 3-6PM at Thomas-Justin Memorial, 7500 Montgomery Rd. (45243). Service with Military Honors will be held on Wednesday, November 22nd at 10:30AM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Celebration Reception and Luncheon to follow at 1PM. Condolences may be shared with the family through our website at ThomasJustinMemorial.com.