Obituary of Walter Roland Scheltema

Walter Roland Scheltema died Thursday, September 18, 2014, in Mitchelville, MD, at Collington's Creighton Center, from complications of diabetes. Born August 12, 1931 to Theodore and Annette Juynboll Scheltema, he graduated from St. John's Catholic High School in 1951, where he was kicked out of religion class for asking too many questions. Walter received a BA in History from George Washington University in 1956. He married Mary Lucretia Detwiler in 1954. They were married 38 years, until her untimely death in 1992 from pancreatic cancer. They had three children: Mary Annette, Willem, and Jamie. They lived on G St SE on Capitol Hill and later in Kensington, MD. Walter contracted polio and was treated at Providence Hospital, in Washington, DC. He spent several months in an iron lung, but recovered with the aid of" physical terrorists," as he affectionately described his therapists. He organized wheelchair races during his long recovery. He was named the Polio Father of the Year in 1957. Walter worked for the Hecht Company in his teens, setting records for sale of classical music LPs. Although he studied various musical instruments in his youth, Walter felt that his skills were inadequate, and chose instead to work at local classical radio stations and build a state-of-the-art music listening studio in his home. His avid interest in classical music led him to be a charter member and supporter of the Montgomery County Chamber Orchestra, now the National Philharmonic. Walter's enormous CD collection is going to support music education at various institutions. Walter's career was with various agencies of the U. S. government in Human Resources; he retired from the Department of Commerce in January, 1991. He was a longtime member of the Classification and Compensation Society. His colleagues knew him for his use of his typewriter, even after the introduction of computers, and for his annual celebration of Beethovan's Birthday in his office. Every December 16th he played Beethovan CDs all day and served Bourbon Birthday Cake to colleagues. Walter moved to Collington Episcopal Life Care in Mitchelville, MD in 2006. He was a longtime animal lover, and was owned by numerous cats - especially his beloved Brenda - and dogs. He loved his beagles Bartholomew and Beatrix and was often seen "walking" them while riding in his red "Beagle Buggy" on the grounds of Collington. Walter is survived by his brother, Rudolf Scheltema; his three children, Mary Scheltema Dreyer, Willem Donald Scheltema, and James Robert Jordan Scheltema; four grandsons, Jacob, Max, Alex, and Sam; nieces Christina, Katrina, and Rose; and three nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Detwiler Schetlema, and his brother Johannes (Hans) Scheltema. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, September 25, 2014 in the Interfaith Chapel, Collington Episcopal Life Care,10450 Lottsford Rd, Mitchelville, MD. Reception immediately following the service. Interment at Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes, 12th Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC, at approximately 3 pm on September 25th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donation be made to the Washington Animal Rescue League, 71 Ogelthorpe Street, NW, Washington DC 20011 OR to the National Philharmonic, The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852-3385. Arrangements by Rapp. .