Joseph “Joe” Kear Wald
March 24, 1949 - October 2, 2020
Joseph “Joe” Kear Wald, age 71, lost his battle with cancer on Friday, October 2, 2020.
Joe was born in South Philadelphia March 24, 1949 and moved to Roxborough at the age of 2. He attended Central High School then got his Bachelor Degree in Mathematics from Temple University in 1970. Because he lived 22 years in Philadelphia, he was a life time fan of Philadelphia teams, especially the Phillies and the Eagles.
In 1971, he started graduate school at UD where he met the love of his life, Lindalee. They were married in 1973. In 1978, he earned his PhD in Mathematics from UD. In 1979, he began his 30 year career as a civilian employee at Aberdeen Proving Ground, working at AMSAA, BRL, and ARL. His job title was mathematician and he routinely addressed problems no one else could solve. After his retirement in 2009, no one else had been groomed to address those difficult problems, and his expertise was greatly missed.
Outside of work, Joe’s interests included chess, wine, cooking, reading, and music, especially classical and jazz. He also served in a voluntary capacity as Newark Advisory Planning Commission chairman for 17 years, and he continued to keep up with local planning and zoning issues.
Throughout the years, Joe and Lindalee were able to do some traveling-mostly in the US and Canada; although they did do an Alaskan cruise, an Australian cruise, a group tour of Southern Ireland and a visit to Joe’s brother and family in Israel where Stephen was able to give the best tour of both Jewish and Christian sites. Some US trips included San Francisco, the Pacific Northwest, and several into New England and the Eastern provinces of Canada; as well as some trips to Florida for Phillies spring training and group trips to North Carolina Outer Banks.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Irene Wald; sister-in-law Margie Wald; cousin Mark Karasow; and numerous aunts and uncles. Joe’s surviving relatives include his wife Lindalee of 46 years 9 months and 2 days; his brothers, Michael (Manny, Cathleen, Lukas, Ryan) and Stephen (Stephanie, Yossi, Rina, Gail, Tal, 7 grandchildren); brother-in-law, Rick Curley (Donna, Brian, Liz, Quinn) and numerous cousins; “adopted” daughters (Crystal and Melanie); and his closest buddy, Don Boese.
A graveside service will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808. Face masks will be required for all in attendance.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity or to the folks who kept Joe alive during this 2-year bout with cancer – Aetna Hose Hook & Ladder, P.O. Box 148, Newark, DE 19715 or to Seasons Hospice, 220 Continental Drive, Ste 101, Newark, DE 19713.
Stephanie Wald
We will miss Joe! All of us.
Tal Wald
I will not forget the time I came to visit Joe and Linda over the summer.
I came to meet Joe and Linda as an adult, have fun and especially learn cool math stuff with Joe.
During those two weeks and a half, I learned with Joe the most fascinating topic of Complex Analysis, always wanting to learn more from Joe.
It is an experience that I will not forget.
I will miss Joe very much.
Rosemary Mirabelle
Dear Linda,
Very sorry for your loss and sad to read about Joe’s fight with cancer. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
In sympathy.
Fran & Roe Mirabelle
Michele & Harvey Hamburg
We will always LOVE Joe.
He will always be in our memories.
Randy & Jackie Keel
Joe was a very nice man. He will definitely be missed. So sorry for your loss and prayers for Linda, their family & friends.
Andy Britton
Linda,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear Joe. Joe was certainly one of a kind and will be fondly remembered by all who knew him and loved him. My prayers will continue during this difficult time.
Sincerely
Andy
Don & Cathy Boese
Joe will remain in our hearts forever. He was a smart, kind and caring good friend. Don will miss his helping hands at projects around his house and all his advice along with the many good conversations they had. We will miss Joe.
David Silverberg
Linda, very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. My sincere condolences to you & your family. Wishing you all the best. David
Andy and Becky
Linda,
What a loss the world has endured with the passing of Joe. He was a fascinatingly interesting man with a wicked sense of humor and of course the craziest socks. You two have been a part of our family for so long it’s hard to imagine not having him around. Love to you!
Diane and Gary Heebner
Linda Lee,
Our sincerest condolences for your loss, and all of ours. We will always remember Joe’s bright smiles, wonderful humor, positive outlook on life, and his answers to questions about Anything. He will be dearly missed.
Our Love to you and all your family,
Diane and Gary
Maria Zmurkewycz
I have wonderful memories of tasty meals at Linda and Joe’s, of Joe’s love of art, of his train set, of the shelves that he built to store their paintings. But most of all I remember Joe’s wonderful kind zen personality. He will be greatly missed.
Annie Young
Linda,
I am so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. Although we have not seen each other for many years, I thank you for allowing me to travel with you vicariously on your many trips. Wishing you God’s comfort during this time.
Blessings,
Annie Young
vivian windsor
My prayers and thoughts are with the family at this time. So very sorry for your loss. It’s so painful to lose someone so young. May God be with you all.
Sincerely,
Vivian Windsor
Anny cordova
My prayers are with you and your family.