Walter C. Cathie

For more than 30 years, Walt and Dianne had their own way of enjoying the beach in Key West – Dianne in the sun and Walt under an umbrella. She introduced him to the island, and it became one of their favorite places.

Walter Cody Cathie of Doylestown passed away October 17, 2026, at the age of 84. A retired military officer, he found lasting satisfaction in service and in the life he shared with Dianne.

Born in Englewood, New Jersey, on August 23, 1942, to Elizabeth Lynch Cathie and Walter Monroe Cathie, Walt grew up in Teaneck with his identical twin and partner in crime, Richard. Their closeness endured through 50 years of daily phone calls. They were best friends as well as brothers.

Walt graduated from Davis and Elkins College and then earned an MBA from Stetson University. After participating in ROTC, he served four years on active duty in the Air Force, followed by 24 years in the Air Force Reserve in Pittsburgh. He retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel and remained proud of his military service.

Walt worked in financial affairs in higher education, spending 30 years at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. The university remained a source of pride and a favorite topic of conversation.

Walt and Dianne met in college, when he and his brother worked summers for her father. They married in August 1996. She valued his wisdom, humor and persistence. He stayed with a problem until the work was done. They loved being on the road together, particularly in the American Southwest, and spending time at their home in Key West.

Walt brought a practical intelligence to the things that interested him. His garage held tools inherited from his father, and he could fix just about anything. He collected slot machines and was an avid reader. He loved Italian food and baseball and had a particular affection for buffaloes and his cat, Hemingway.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard. He is survived by his wife, Dianne; his sons, Ryan and Eric; his stepdaughters, Carrie and Jennifer; his grandchildren, Jack, Aidan, Sawyer, Luna, Grace, Ada, Zack and Kayla; his nieces, Kaitlyn, Jennifer and Stacy; his nephew, Jeffrey; and his dear sister-in-law, Lydia.

Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 noon on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home, 2335 Lower State Road, Doylestown, where friends will be received from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Private interment will be held at Washington Crossing National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Walt’s name to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.