Wally Bunt

Wallace Roy Bunt, better known as Wally, died April 8, 2016 at the age of 95. Born at home in Norway in the Upper Peninsula, he was the son of Clarence and Ellen (Erlandson) Bunt. With the attending physician advising the family to “wrap him in cotton and put him in a shoe box” because he would not be alive in the morning. His 95 years of life were not expected. Wally grew up in Norway and graduated from Norway High School. He then attended Michigan State University, graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was elected to Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honorary society. Wally was a member of the ROTC during his college years and then attended the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, OK, receiving his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1943, He was then assigned to the 10th Armored Division at Camp Gordon, GA and soon transferred to the Corps of Engineers, where he served the rest of the war in the 55th Armored Engineer Battalion. During his college days, Wally was a professional hydroplane racer on the midwest racing circuit. In his senior year of college Wally met Yvonne Wilkinson of Lansing, who quickly became the most important person in his life. Faced with the uncertainties of the war years and the certainty of overseas service they were married on June 30, 1944. After a few weeks together at Camp Gordon, Wally received his orders to “ship out” and Vonnie returned home to Lansing for a long two year stress filled separation. Reunited in 1946, they spent the next 72 years together happily raising a family. Wally went overseas with the 10th Armored, being the first division to land directly in Europe at Cherbourg following D-Day. Moving across France the first battle was at Metz, and this fortress city fell to a foreign invader for a first time in its long history. While regrouping for a push on to Germany on December 16 all changed with the German attack beginning the Battle of the Bulge. Wally was assigned to lead the battalion from Metz to Luxemburg City. Over uncharted roads and blackout conditions this came to be known as the longest night in his life. Part of the division was moved on to Bastogne and met and stopped the initial German attack. Wally spent the next day on reconnaissance missions with orders to “find the Germans” and was rewarded with a Silver Star on Christmas Day 1944. He also received a Bronze Star and ETO Campaign Ribbons. Following the end of the war, Wally stayed in Europe as part of the Army of Occupation, returning home in May 1946. He then became active in the reserves, attaining the rank of Major. Wally started his professional career in July 1946 with the Dow Chemical Company at their headquarters located in Midland. In 1962 he accepted an assignment with Dow International to move to Amsterdam to manage the Lurex fiber operations in Holland. Upon return to Midland, he was named Business Development Manager for fibers in Dow International as well as serving as assistant to the Director of Business Development. Soon he and his family were on the move again with a transfer to Williamsburg, Virginia to join world fiber headquarters. Extensive travel was involved, including several trips to India working joint ventures with a major Indian company. After a merger with BASF to form the Dow Badische Company, Wally became Manager of Pricing and Economic Evaluation for a number of years until Dow sold their interest to German partners. With 30 years of service, Wally chose to retire, and moved in retirement to Traverse City in 1976. He continued active in the business operations of his son-in-law John Lindberg until his death. Wally is survived by his beloved wife Vonnie after 72 years of togetherness. Also surviving are daughters Jana Lindberg, Rebecca (Mark) Fries, both of Traverse City, and son Jon Todd of Traverse City; grandchildren Jason Lindberg of Chicago, Jeff Lindberg of Traverse City and Jacob Bunt of Traverse City. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert of Norway and an infant sister. Wally was an avid reader as well as a sports fan, particularly Michigan State Spartans teams and the Green Bay Packers. He also loved the many dogs that the family owned through the years, starting with a special Cocker Spaniel Shadow followed by seven Shelties. Wally was active in church work first at First Methodist in Midland and then at Central United Methodist in Traverse City serving in many leadership roles. He was especially proud to have served as co-chair of a major expansion at Central United Methodist as well as chairing financial functions. The family would like to thank all the wonderful staff at Munson Medical Center for their compassion and excellent care of both dad and mom as well as the staff of Tendercare in Suttons Bay for taking care of Wally this past year. In lieu of flowers please direct donations to Central United Methodist Church Organ Fund in Traverse City or the Methodist Children’s Home Society in Redford (26645 W. Six Mile Road, Redford, MI 48240). Visitation for friends and family will be held on Friday, April 22, 2016 from 3 to 5 pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The memorial service will be held at Central United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 1:00 pm followed by light refreshments.

Wally Bunt

February 22, 1921 - April 8, 2016