Walter A. Kuchta, age 87, of Castalia, passed away Tuesday afternoon, January 1, 2019, at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky, following a brief illness.

He was born March 10, 1931, in Flint, MI., and grew up in Buffalo, NY.  He received his bachelors degree from the University of Hawaii.  Walter had been interested and fascinated with airplanes his whole life; and retired from the U.S. Air Force, where he became a flight engineer and aircraft mechanic.    He worked for Dole Cannery and Aloha Airlines, HI.   He was a member of the Airport Board in Norwalk for many years, and taught at EHOVE for several years.

He is survived by his wife Penny (Santana) Kuchta; step daughter Susan (Clayton) Rivera; 12 grandchildren, including Farrah (Luke) Wynbissinger and Michael (Felicia) Heft; 11 great grandchildren; and close cousins Tom Kelly and Patrick Kelly.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Cecelia (Rydsik) Kuchta.

A celebration of life will be from 5-7 PM, Sunday, January 6, 2019, at Ransom Funeral & Cremation Service, 610 S. Washington St., Castalia.

Online condolences and gifts of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting www.ransomfuneralhome.com