Dr. Walter Norman Bargeron, age 71 of Ogden Dunes, Ind., passed away
November 14, 2013, in Valparaiso, Ind.
He was born June 20, 1942, in Westfield, Massachusetts, and raised in
Woronoco, a small town in the Berkshire mountains. Walter was the only son
of Norman W. "Pudge" Bargeron and Mary Devine Bargeron.
Walter is survived by his wife Jean, of Ogden Dunes, and daughter Mary J.
Bargeron (Dr. Erik Herzog), of St. Louis, Missouri, and grandsons, Max and
Isaac Herzog. Walter’s son, Norman, pre-deceased him in 1996.
Walt has been honored for professional and civic achievements and will be
missed for the fine man that he was, honest, loyal, loving, of good humor,
and always fair. To friends and neighbors, Walt was widely known as "a great
guy." He will be profoundly missed by his wife, Jean, who was truly the love
of his life.
Walt received his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from the
University of Notre Dame. In 1964, he married his high school sweetheart,
Jean Virginia Lahue, also of Westfield, Mass. The couple went to graduate
school at the University of Michigan, where Walt earned his doctorate in
metallurgical engineering. They raised two children, Mary J. Bargeron and
Norman W. Bargeron, while living in Buffalo, New York.
Walt had a 30-year career with Bethlehem Steel Company, beginning as a
research engineer and ultimately becoming president of Bethlehem’s Burns
Harbor Division. He was an innovator in technology and business fundamentals
and considered a leader in the industry.
In 2000, Walt retired to enjoy a quiet life in Ogden Dunes. He did his best
to support the community he loved, serving the Town Council as councilman
and president.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at
11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet Rd., Chesterton,
Ind., with Father James Meade officiating.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 18, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00
p.m. with a wake service at 6:30 p.m. at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517
Broadway, Chesterton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts may be made to the Ogden Dunes
Park Board or Home Owners Association c/o Ogden Dunes Townhall, 115
Hillcrest Rd., Ogden Dunes, IN 46368.