Walter Kenneth Bunge, 84, died peacefully Sept. 9, 2015, at his home in Lexington, S.C. He was born on Feb. 4, 1931, in Madison, S.D., to the Rev. and Mrs. Arnold and Esther (Taeuber) Bunge. Walter is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judith, his children John (Mary Beth), Chris, Beth, and Carolyn; grandchildren Avalon, Lexus, Walter Chase, Sophie, Jack, Kameron, and Kobe; brother Ralph (Paula), sister Connie (Gerd) Bents and sister-in-law Mary Bunge. He was predeceased by his brothers David and Richard.
Walter was a veteran of the U.S. Army Signal Corps in the Korean War. He earned a B.A. in English and an M.S. in journalism from the University of Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. in journalism from the University of Minnesota. He also received a certificate from the Sorbonne University in Paris. In his career Walter received many awards, including the Gannett Foundation Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Journalism and Mass Communication, the African-American Media Association Award, and the office of Cruise Palmer Distinguished Professor in Journalism at Kansas State University.
Walter and Judith lived in the Dark Woods area of Edgartown for 13 wonderful years, and left almost four years ago only because they wanted to be part of their children and grandchildren’s lives, and they live in South Carolina. Of all the places the couple lived in 59 years, the Vineyard was the favorite of both, and they made many wonderful friends there.
Walter was known as a person of great integrity, whose decisions were based on what is right and not just what is expedient. He strongly believed in the First Amendment right to freedom of speech. He was beloved by many, especially his family, for the strength of his character and for his accepting, loving and gentle nature. He will be sadly missed, but leaves a long-lasting legacy.
A celebration of Walter’s life is planned for Saturday, Nov. 28, on Martha’s Vineyard, at the Chilmark Community Church at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to a charity of your choice, or to the following: Investigative Reporters and Editors, ire.org, under “donate”; Jeff Bridges’ No Kid Hungry, nokidhungry.org, 800-222-1767; Share Our Strength, P.O. Box 75475, Baltimore, MD 21275.
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