Obituary – Walter ‘Wally’ Huber, Trenchless Rehab Advocate
The trenchless industry lost a good friend Nov. 18 when Walter “Wally” Huber, 86, succumbed to cancer. He and his wife Wilma were enjoying retirement near their family in Orlando.
He was president of Cues in the 1970s and worked with LMK Technologies from 1995 until his retirement in 2016. Wally loved the tradeshows and the live demonstrations. Visitors would always find Wally and his big smile and friendly demeanor at the booth; he was front and center and ready to welcome questions and patiently explain the technology.
“When I think about Wally, I just can’t help but smile. Back in the mid-1990s you could find Wally traveling all over the country with our crews. At the end of the day, it was common practice for all the guys to meet at Wally’s hotel room for a cocktail. He had a brief case with a variety of little bottles of whiskey, rum and gin and each organized neatly. I asked him, Wally, where do you get all those little bottles? Wally said, ‘Oh shoot, I’ve had this one for more than 40 years. I just refill them for each trip.’,” recalls Larry Kiest. “That was Wally, and let me tell you, no one could sell technology like Wally. He operated from an office in his house, and I’ll never forget the first time I visited him and Wilma at their home. After dining on stone crabs and a beer, he asked if I’d like to see his office. He took me to a room where he opened the closet to reveal a neat desk and chair. It was both cozy and efficient; and Wally had just gotten an AOL account. Oh boy, was he on fire. My family and so many others will miss him dearly.”
Wally was a promoter of NASSCO from its inception along with Alan Thomas when they worked together at Cues. In 2019, Wally was inducted into the Select Society of Sanitary Sewer Sleuths, an honorary association for recognition of members who have made significant efforts for the betterment of NASSCO and the Trenchless industry.
Wally will always be remembered as a gentle, considerate, jovial man who never shied away from a conversation. His intelligence and life experiences made gatherings lively and interesting.
Wally was born on Nov. 21, 1936, and grew up in Beaver Dam. Wisconsin where he worked in the family’s cheese business. He attended the University of Wisconsin and earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture and marketing in 1954. Wally then served his country with honor, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Upon completing his military service, Wally accepted a position with the Schlitz Brewing Company in Milwaukee and became one of their most successful sales managers. While traveling to Florida for business, Wally met Wilma and they married on Dec. 23, 1963, and moved to Charleston, South Carolina before eventually settling in Orlando.
Most importantly, Wally was a man of faith. He loved God and he loved his family, and he loved people. Wally made an impact for good in our industry and he will be missed.
Wally is preceded in death by his parents, Alois and Alice Huber, and brother, Carl Huber. He is survived by his wife, Wilma, sister, Mary Barstow, and his children: Bonnie Heidbrink (Paul), Guy Poteat, Kathy Lancaster (Richard), and Heidi Halpin (Michael). He is also survived by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
With the industry descending on Indianapolis Jan. 24-27 for the WWETT Show, friends are hosting a celebration of life for Wally at 6 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Slippery Noodle, 372 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis.
