1913
Walter
2009
Walter Birch
December 25, 1913 — March 9, 2009
Walter Ware Birch, age 95, of Mission, KS passed away on Monday, March 9, 2009 at Mission Springs Assisted Living. Memorial Mass will be 10:00 A.M. on Monday, March 16th at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 5250 Mission Road, Mission, KS. Private inurnment in Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, Fort Leavenworth, KS. Visitation will be 3-5:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 15th at D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Kendallwood Hospice, 2908 NW Vivion Road, Riverside, MO 64150.
Walter was born on December 25, 1913 in Junction City, KS to Walter A. Birch and Mildred Ware Birch. He attended elementary school in Minneapolis, KS and graduate from high school in Emporia, KS. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Kansas State Teacher College (now Emporia State University) in 1936. Walter taught in Norway, KS and Virgil, KS, before entering the service of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board in May 1939. He continuously served with that agency until December 1978, except for World War II during which he served 1941-1946. Walter worked for the Board in Tulsa, OK and Parsons, KS then came to Kansas City in 1962 and retired here as Regional Director. He was a veteran of World War II and remained in the Army Reserves after World War II until retirement in 1970 as Colonel. He married Mary Margaret Potts at Parsons, KS on October 6, 1946. Walter was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, St. Vincent De Paul Society, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, the Retired Officers Association, The Sons of the American Revolution, Friends of the Art, The International Relation Council, The Public Links Seniors, The Overland Park Two Man League. He was a Democratic Precinct Committeeman and a member of the Westwood Planning Commission. He was a member of the Emporia State alumni Association and the Sigma Tau Gamma Kansas City Alumni. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Alison A. Birch. Survivors include his wife, Mary Margaret of the home; one daughter, Margaret A. Streeter, Rochester, NY; two sons, W. Joe Birch, Kansas City, MO and John W. Birch and his wife, Catherine, Olathe, KS; five grandchildren, Matthew Birch and his wife, Liz, Adam Streeter, David Birch, Emily Birch and Mark Birch; three great grandchildren, Reese, Paige and Laine.
Walter was born on December 25, 1913 in Junction City, KS to Walter A. Birch and Mildred Ware Birch. He attended elementary school in Minneapolis, KS and graduate from high school in Emporia, KS. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Kansas State Teacher College (now Emporia State University) in 1936. Walter taught in Norway, KS and Virgil, KS, before entering the service of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board in May 1939. He continuously served with that agency until December 1978, except for World War II during which he served 1941-1946. Walter worked for the Board in Tulsa, OK and Parsons, KS then came to Kansas City in 1962 and retired here as Regional Director. He was a veteran of World War II and remained in the Army Reserves after World War II until retirement in 1970 as Colonel. He married Mary Margaret Potts at Parsons, KS on October 6, 1946. Walter was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church, St. Vincent De Paul Society, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, Military Officers Association of America, the Retired Officers Association, The Sons of the American Revolution, Friends of the Art, The International Relation Council, The Public Links Seniors, The Overland Park Two Man League. He was a Democratic Precinct Committeeman and a member of the Westwood Planning Commission. He was a member of the Emporia State alumni Association and the Sigma Tau Gamma Kansas City Alumni. He was preceded in death by granddaughter, Alison A. Birch. Survivors include his wife, Mary Margaret of the home; one daughter, Margaret A. Streeter, Rochester, NY; two sons, W. Joe Birch, Kansas City, MO and John W. Birch and his wife, Catherine, Olathe, KS; five grandchildren, Matthew Birch and his wife, Liz, Adam Streeter, David Birch, Emily Birch and Mark Birch; three great grandchildren, Reese, Paige and Laine.
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