Walter Fred Denz

Walter was born in Newark, Ohio to the late Ferdinand and Berta (Huber) Denz, who immigrated to the United States in 1927. He graduated from Newark St. Francis de Sales High School and attended Denison University prior to enlisting in the US Air Force during the Korean Campaign. He served in the Air Weather Service at Misawa Air Base in Japan, on Iwo Jima, and at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, prior to his discharge with the rank of Staff Sergeant in December of 1954.

Walter married Barbara Ann (Martin) Denz, his spouse and partner of sixty-six years, in 1953. He and Barbara raised their five children in Newark, enjoying family activities and vacations, especially to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Walter and Barbara also enjoyed their retirement traveling to the western United States, the Caribbean and Europe.

Walter served in the banking business for nearly thirty-eight years. He began his career in April of 1955 with BancOhio affiliate First National Bank of Newark, and became its Executive Vice President in January of 1977. He transferred to BancOhio Columbus in August of 1978 as Vice President and Associate in the Management Consulting Services Department, serving BancOhio-affiliated banks statewide. In 1982, He was appointed to develop BancOhio Corporation's Risk and Insurance Management Department, consolidating the function state-wide and becoming its first Manager. Upon the merger with National City Corporation in 1987, he became its first Vice President and Director of Risk and Insurance Management until his retirement in February of 1993. During the course of his career, Walter continued his education, receiving certificates of completion from various institutions, including The School for Bank Administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Insurance Institute's designation as an "Associate in Risk Management."

Walter was active in church, business, civic and social affiliations. In Newark he was President of the St. Francis School Board as well as a member of the Parish Finance Committee, Vice Chairman of the United Way Budget Committee, President of the American Institute of Banking, Newark Chapter, and a member of the Newark Maennerchor, to name a few. In Columbus, he was actively involved in the formation of the Financial Institutions Reserves, Ltd., a Bermuda-based captive insurer for seventeen regional bank holding companies, later becoming chairman of the Underwriting Committee. Walter and Barbara were members of St. James the Less Catholic Church, where they were active in the Church Choir Ministry.


Walter is survived by his brother David (Donna) Denz of Greenwood, IN and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Ruth Jones and Esther (Arthur) Ghiloni, and by his wife, Barbara.

Walter exhorted his five children to always be honest, and encouraged them in their educational endeavors. He was proud of his children and their achievements, and prouder still of his twelve grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

Michael (Jane) Denz of Clarkston, MI, daughter Alexis Denz (fiancé, Bryan Rosenstein) of San Francisco, CA, son, Adam Denz (fiancé, Taylor McEvilly) of Clarkston, MI, and Chelsey (Neal) Conley and children Lucas and Gracie of Madison, GA.

Patricia Baker (Victor) Ventura of Dunedin, FL, daughter Jennifer (Jon) Gray and children, Alex and Madelyn, of Stoneham, MA, and daughter, Brittany (Frank) Bauch and children, Clara and Hank, of Alameda, CA.

Stephen (Patience) Denz of Westerville, OH, son, Christopher (Bridgit) Denz and children, Ryan, Makena, Ellison, Garvey and Torin of Westerville, OH, daughter, Patience (Daniel) Bowman and children, Patience, Richard, Grady and Jonathan of Galena, OH, daughter, Margaret (Nicholas) Capretta and children, Sophia, Colton, Mila and Dominic of Powell, OH, son, Peter Denz of Los Angeles, CA and daughter, Rachel Denz of Cleveland, OH.

Mary (Michael) Monter of Blacklick, OH and daughter, Katherine (Anthony) Pennybaker and their daughters, Geneva and Evelyn, of Heath, OH.

Julianna Judge and her daughter, Stephanie Judge, of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.

A heartfelt "THANK YOU" to the caring staff at Westerwood Columbus, where Walter was a resident since November of 2017. He thoroughly enjoyed his time with you and was most appreciative of your kindness and attention.

Family and friends may call between 4-6pm on Tuesday, March 5th at Newcomer Funeral Home, 3407 East Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, OH. 614.818.1188

Funeral Mass will be held at 10am on Wednesday, March 6th at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 1652 Oakland Park Avenue, Columbus, OH, with burial services at West Pioneer Cemetery, 865 S State St, Westerville, OH.

Messages of condolences may be shared with the family at www.NewcomerColumbus.com