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WALTER J. TOPOREK
Date of Passing: Jul 27, 2015
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryWALTER J. TOPOREK Walter passed away peacefully on July 27, 2015 in Story City, Iowa. He is remembered by his sister, Stephanie Eunson; his children, Rebecca, Cynthia, Veronica Cox, and Daniel; his four grandchildren; his children's mother, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Walter John Toporek was born to Katarzyna and Wladyslaw Toporek in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on August 18, 1935. For many years, he made his home in Ames, Iowa, where he was an Associate Professor of Architecture from 1966 until he retired in 2000. Prior to Iowa State University, Walter held a faculty position at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. He graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Manitoba in 1958 and was awarded the University Gold Medal. He earned a Masters of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 1963. Walter loved to garden and his yard was overflowing with native Iowa flowers and plants. He visited Winnipeg often and followed local cultural and architectural events. "Life is revealed in wandering." - Walter Toporek, 1995 "The meaning of existence is that existence has meaning" - Walter Toporek, nd A graveside service will be held at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens on Monday, August 17, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. and a memorial service in Story City, Iowa, on Wednesday, August 19, 2015.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 15, 2015
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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Walter Toporek — note on obituary page: Sept. 10. 2016 By chance I read the list of former ISU employees who had died in 2015 in the ISU Retirees Newsletter October-November yesterday, and was saddened to learn that Walter Toporek had died. Walter had been a friend whom I had known casually for many years through folk dancing, an interest I shared with his wife and several children, and later, when he lived alone before his stroke, walking in downtown Ames, Iowa. The "parking" around his home was planted to flowers -- daisies, I think — as well as were other parts of his yard. He was PRESENT whenever I talked to him and very honest, a trait share by his family. I last saw him probably in 2008, an election year, when he called and asked if I could help him vote -- which involved keeping him company in his wheel chair as he crossed Mortensen to get to the church where his precinct voted. As I recall he did almost everything himself. We talked a bit afterwards and i recall he said if he'd been found sooner after his stroke happened at home, his ability to move could have been improved. I did try to find Walter again, but in 2010 my husband was again attacked by cancer which focused my mind on my own family (and I'm still catching up after his death in November 2012) so I never saw Walter again. I'm glad he lived so many more years. I regret not seeing him again, though. Apparently, he moved to Story City at some point. I like seeing Walter's photograph as a young man. I think it shows his determination, hidden in later years by his beard. Walter's honesty and his daisies are what I remember most about him. My sympathy to his family on his loss. Holly Fuchs 806 Brookridge Ave., Ames, IA 50010-5835 - Posted by: Holly Fuchs (friend from folk-dancing in Ames, Iowa) on: Sep 10, 2016
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Walter was a faculty member on ISU faculty during the many years my father was also. My father Vernon Stone died in January of this year. I remember Walter as a very kind man. Blessings on his family. Laura Stone - Posted by: Laura Stone (Friend) on: Aug 18, 2015