Walter Monroe Bieber, 91, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully on Jan. 22, 2016, surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his wife Barbara; children Lindley J. Bieber (Patricia), Cynthia Slutzker Burke (David), Phyllis Bieber Williams (James), Thomas Bieber (Karen), Andrew Bieber (Carol), Barbara Bieber, and Brian Bieber, all of Vero Beach, Matthew Bieber and Walter Bieber of West Palm Beach, and Richard Slutzker of Altoona, Penn.; as well as 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister Phyllis Heller and his son Frederick Walter Bieber.
The son of Isaac Frederick Bieber and Pansy Rohm Bieber, Walt was born in Muncy, Pennsylvania.
While a student at Sunbury High School in Sunbury, Penn., he learned to fly a Piper Cub by trading work for flying lessons at the local airport. Upon graduation, he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corps.
Bieber was a lifelong patriot, and he served his country with distinction as a fighter pilot in World War II. A member of the 525th Fighter Squadron of the 86th Fighter-Bomber Group, he flew P-47 fighters, completing 114 combat missions in the European Theater. He participated in the Allied invasion of southern France and the Rome-Arno Campaign, and flew missions in France, Italy, and Germany. He was promoted to the rank of Captain, and, in addition to earning five major engagement stars, he was the recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses, nine Air Medals, and the Purple Heart.
After returning from the war, Bieber opened his first glass company in Pennsylvania. He loved building his business, and expanded its operations in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida. The company completed major installations at Penn State University, Walter Reed Medical Center, the National Arboretum, the Mormon Temple in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
Bieber’s greatest joy in life was his family. He felt especially blessed to spend his life with his wife and soul mate, Barbara. He was a devoted father – the patriarch of a family that includes 11 children, 18 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
He loved his home in Vero Beach, which was the site of many wonderful family gatherings, daily laps in the pool, and long walks on the beach. Bieber was passionate about sailing and flying. He owned V-tail Bonanzas, and was a founding member of the American Bonanza Society. He was a zealous golfer, and a former member of Hawk’s Nest and The Moorings.
A private memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Bieber’s memory may do so by making a donation to the charity of their choice.
