Theophil "Walter" Dusek

Theophil (Walter) Dusek, 96, died at Bethany on University in Fargo, ND, on February 2, 2018. Walter was born on June 6, 1921, to Theophil and Nellie (Haladej) Dusek who were immigrants from Bohemia and Poland. Walter grew up on a farm near Bremen, ND. He attended first grade at the two-teacher Bremen School. Later he went to Valhalla School No. 3, located 2 miles northeast of their farm home. He graduated as an honor student from Central High School, New Rockford, ND, in 1939. Walter and his younger brother would often take the Great Northern Railway “Dinky” train the 13 miles from New Rockford to Bremen on weekends. After high school, Walter enrolled for 6 months in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). He spent most of his enlistment in a camp near Alcester, SD, building small dams and cutting down dead trees. In youth and early adulthood Walter had a range of jobs: Farmhand, “apple knocker”, harvest hand, dishwasher, bellhop, redcap, logger and passenger elevator operator. He worked for the Great Northern Railroad, Kaiser Company Inc., Lakeland Fruit & Produce Company, Hagstrom & Feigle Construction Companies, Despatch Oven Company, and International Harvester Company. During World War II, Walter joined the United States Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the Seabees. He was motivated by the chance to learn a useful trade for civilian life. From 1943-46 he was on the islands of the South Pacific and in the Philippines. Walter graduated in 1949 from what is now North Dakota State University, and later he was a part time attendee at the University of Dayton, OH. After graduation from NDSU, Walter worked in Fargo, ND, for the US Internal Revenue Service as a delinquent tax collector and as an employment agency interviewer in Devils Lake, ND. He drove the first car he ever owned, a used 1937 blue Plymouth 4 door sedan, to go back and forth between Fargo and Devils Lake. Walter also worked as a civilian for the United States Air Force. He worked in Dayton, OH, at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base (1950-1970) and the Pentagon as a purchasing technician, buyer, contracting officer and procurement analyst. After early retirement, Walter worked part time jobs with a drycleaning company, an electronic firm and garden center as security guard, janitor, electronic plant worker, and salesman. In 1989 Walter moved back to Fargo, ND. Walter is survived by four siblings – Virginia (Raymond) Robertsdahl, Georgia Grinaker, and Stella Baumler, all of Fargo, ND, and Lester Dusek of St. Cloud, MN. He is also survived by nieces and nephews – Gary (Rhonda) Grinaker, Betty (Bryon) Thom, Diane (Bill Evans) Gasal, Mary Baumler, Sharon Baumler, Jon (Lisa) Baumler, and Rick (Elizabeth) Baumler. Walter is preceded in death by his parents, brother Wencil Dusek, brothers- in-law Lawrence Baumler and Gordon Grinaker, and nephew Dennis Grinaker. A private family service will be held.