Oct. 26, 1936 – May 1, 2021
Walter K Lindenmann died on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at the age of 84. Walter was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on October 26, 1936, the son of the late Karl and Elsie Lindenmann.
Walter started his career as a newsman for United Press International and was the education editor for the Denver Postand the Hartford Times. As a public relations executive, he managed the research departments. He was director of Survey Research of Hill and Knowlton, Inc. and President of its research subsidiary, Group Attitudes Corporation, from 1976 to 1985. He created the Research Department of Ketchum Worldwide and served as the company’s Senior Vice President/Director of Research from 1987 to 2000. He also served as Director of University Relations at Hofstra University, and as Assistant Director of Public Information for the Connecticut State Department of Education, as a public relations account supervisor at Hill and Knowlton Inc. and as manager of Opinion Research Corporation.
Walter lectured extensively in the United States and also Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Singapore and Spain.
For several years, he served as a visiting adjunct professor of public relations research at Syracuse University and Virginia Commonwealth University.
In 1999, Walter was named by PR Week as one of the 100 most influential public relations professionals of the 20th century.
Walter earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Queens College in New York City, a master’s degree in journalism and a PhD in sociology from Columbia University. While at Queens College, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and was a member of the Lutheran Club, where he met his wife, Ellen.
Walter and Ellen lived in Denver, West Hartford, Port Chester and Dix Hills, N.Y. The couple retired to Lake Monticello, Va. in 2000. Walter was active in Grace and Glory Lutheran Church, the Fluvanna FlutterWheels square dance club and the Friendship Force of Charlottesville, Va.
Walter loved the opera, traveling, and camping with his family. He loved sports and was an avid fan of Notre Dame.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ellen Ann, a former New York city teacher and guidance counselor; four children, Melanie Brooks, Paul and his wife Cathy, Mark and his wife Karen and Meredith and her husband James Wankel; eight grandchildren, Christine, Renee, Kathryn, Eve, Gage, Max, Julianna and Jessica; sister, Annemarie Noto; and sister-in-law Arlene Benzmiller. He was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Keith and Alyson Brooks.
There will be a memorial service to celebrate Walters’ life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Grace and Glory Lutheran Church at 683 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Palmyra, VA 22963, or the Hospice of the Piedmont at https://www.hova.org/donate-online.now.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.