Walter G. Unverhau

Ater a full century of life, Walter G. Unverhau died on June 8, 2026, at age 100. Born in Amsterdam, NY, on Feb. 21, 1926, he was son of the late Frederick and Martha (Gelhorn) Unverhau. Following the death of his mother when he was 6, he was raised by a couple in Colonie. He left high school as a senior in 1943 (to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, serving as a nose gunner on B-24 military aircraft, primarily flying non-combat enforcement missions throughout Europe near the end of the war.

It was soon after the war when young Walt was spotted playing pinball at the former Hoffman’s Skateland in Colonie by Norma Jeanne Binschoff, who told her friends: “That’s the man I’m going to marry.” She was correct. They were married on Oct. 9, 1948. After living several years in Albany, they moved to Colonie and remained in the same home for 68 years.

After earning his high school GED degree, Walt began a sales and management career at Armour & Co. and later Oscar Mayer before joining the U.S. Postal Service in Albany, where one of his favorite jobs was sorting mail collected along the Albany-Chicago train route in the 1950s. Although he claimed to have done more than enough flying in World War II, he maintained a love of planes, frequently building models and flying remote control planes with his son, David. He was also an adept fisherman on local lakes and streams, as well as being an avid golfer and a ham radio operator, call sign NZLKN. Walt was also a determined survivor, successfully facing down cancer three different times in his life.

Following his retirement from the Postal Service in the 1980s, Walt was a busy gardener and an active member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Colonie, where he and Norma were founding members and he later served in many roles with the church, including as a member of the vestry. He and Norma also enjoyed regular travels to New Jersey, Maine and Florida. He also treasured time spent with his grandsons, Ben and Josh Unverhau.

In addition to his parents, Walt was predeceased by his brothers, Curt and Fred Unverhau, as well as his grandson, Josh. He is survived by his wife, Norma; son, David Unverhau (Arleen Reyell) of Colonie; grandson, Ben Unverhau (Jess), of Moreau; and three great-grandchildren, Addalyn, Collin and Gabriel Unverhau, all of Moreau. Also survived by several nieces.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 5pm to 7pm. at the Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave., Colonie. On Saturday, a Memorial Service will take place at 10am in St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 49 Killean Park, Colonie.