Obituaries

Walter Aronson

Photo of Walter Aronson
Walter Aronson Jr., 93, of Rogers, Ark., died Friday, April 28, 2017 at Circle of Life in Bentonville, Ark. He was born in Tower, Minn., on June 27, 1923 to Walter Aronson Sr. and Dorothy (Osterberg) Aronson. He grew up there either in school or beside his father at the Aronson Boat Works on Lake Vermilion. He entered World War II. His mechanical ability put him in specified schooling on P-51's and he became a member of the 458th fighter squadron in the 20th Air Force. He was sent to the South Pacific and spent a year on Iwo Jima. At the end of the war he was discharged with the rank of Staff Sargent. He returned to Minnesota, Tower Lake Vermilion and the marina. In 1949, he and Ruth married, built a house on Pike Bay near the marina, had two children, bought the marina from his father and settled in on Lake Vermilion and Tower. The opportunity to move to Florida was presented to him in 1960, to operate the Lake Worth Marine on the Intercostal Waterway. Still wanting his own business, six years later, he purchased property in Lantana, called it The Outing Center, selling and servicing boats, motors, including campers plus an accessory store. It was well received in the community and grew nicely. During those following years, they bought a home on Hypluxo Island, he got his pilot's license, bought property on Echo Point on Lake Vermilion in Minnesota, built a cabin there and bought a Beechcraft Bonanza airplane. When he retired 26 years ago, they built a home in Rogers, Ark., making it possible for many of those years to spend summers in Minnesota and winters in Arkansas with frequent visit to Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Sue Weibke. Walter is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ruth; daughter, Jane Aronson from Loveland, Colo.; son, Michael Aronson of Lantana, Fla.; grandson, Shawn Aronson of Wilmington, N.C.; brother, John of Tower, Minn., sister, Kaye Aronson of Tower, Minn.; brother-in-law, Robert Reinstrom and wife, Karen of Exton, Pa.; numerous nieces, nephews and one cousin, Robert Wilson and wife, Joan of Tower, Minn. Burial will be in The Lakeview Cemetery in Tower, Minn., with a Celebration of Life at St. James Presbyterian Church where they are members later this summer. Service information will be published at a later date. Walt was a soft spoken gentlemen with strong virtues. He was loyal and dedicated to his family and friends, always reliable and quietly successful in all of his goals in life with a love of county that makes him a role model if you knew him. We will miss him. He was so special. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers. Memories may be shared at stockdalefuneral.com.

Published May 4, 2017

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