Retired Great Bend Fire Chief Harold Loren Walter, 82, died Friday, May 7, 2010 at Rice County District Hospital. His infectious smile and mastery of the art of storytelling will be missed by everyone who knew him. Harold was born April 28, 1928 outside of Seward, Kansas, to Harry and Edna (Grow) Walter. He graduated Great Bend High School with the class of 1946, attended Hutchinson Community College and soon after joined the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Margaret Elizabeth Baltzell on January 14, 1951. They spent 56 years together prior to Margarets passing on August 12, 2007. The Great Bend Fire Department hired Harold in 1950, a job he would make his career. He was promoted to fire chief in 1968. He regaled in sharing stories of fighting fires in and around Great Bend before the days of things considered essential to firefighting today: foam, self-contained breathing apparatuses, and even steel-toe boots. He retired from the department in 1988. In retirement, he and his wife managed the Baltzell Motel, becoming owners in 1997. He also managed and maintained several rental properties around town. Harold was infamous for having at least two of every tool known to man, as well as being able to somehow locate them, even in his later years. Harold was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and A. F. & A. M. Lodge #15, Great Bend. He was also very charitable, spending several years giving to the Shriners Childrens Hospital, and chairing the Sunflower Shrine Club Travel Fund. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Harry and Edna, and his wife, Margaret. He is survived by his three children, David Walter and his wife Kim of Great Bend, Linda Acker of Dallas, TX and Debra Wamsley and her husband Dennis of Centennial, CO. He is also survived by several grandchildren: Jason Kramer and his wife Kellie, Brian Walter and his wife Mandy, Kyle Walter, Jeffrey Kramer and his wife Allison, Michael Wamsley and Loren Acker; two step-grandchildren, Charise Oelger and her husband Denny, and Michelle Desmarteau; three great-grandchildren, Katlyn Kramer, Haley Kramer and Graeson Walter; two step-great-grandchildren, Peyden Oelger and Drew Oelger. He is also survived by two sisters and one brother, Delora Wiles Baldwin and husband Marvin, Myrla Keenan and husband Mike, and Jim Walter and wife Alice, all of Great Bend. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at First United Methodist Church, 2123 Forest Ave., Great Bend with the Rev. Tom Sheldon officiating. Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2010 and 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Great Bend Cemetery with Masonic Graveside Rites and Great Bend Fire Department Rites. Memorials have been established with the Sunflower Shriner Club Travel Fund, the Great Bend Fire Department Social Charity Fund, and First United Methodist Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.