Walter Young, a longtime resident of Malibu, died Jan. 23 while on a cruise of the Panama Canal with his wife, Ellen.
Young, 79, was born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1923. His family fled the Nazis, immigrating to America in 1938 when they settled in New York City.
Young enlisted in the United States Army and served with distinction during World War II in the South Pacific as a member of the famed Bushmasters. His first wife, Mimi, died in 1972 and his second wife, Betty, died in 1987. He always considered himself a most fortunate man in finding three remarkable women to share his life with him.
Young operated John Wolff Catering for more than 40 years before his retirement, never losing his relish for living, always exhibiting warmth and humor in a uniquely effective way that connected with everyone he met. Among his many passions were music and opera, loves he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
Diabetes and failing eyesight did not deter him from taking a bus to volunteer two days a week at Santa Monica Hospital, where his “job” was to visit patients in need of cheering up. His engaging personality and irrepressible, optimistic, “the glass is half full” outlook brought humor and joy to every endeavor and endeared him to everyone he met.
Friends and family called him “a creature of action” who always “strived to do the right thing,” but with great warmth and humor. Young was a founding member of the Malibu Jewish Center and an active member of the Malibu Optimists Club.
A memorial service took place in Los Angeles on Monday.