Thomas G. Walz

May 26, 1948 - December 1, 2021

How in the SAM HELL do you sum up the life of someone like Tom Walz? Wait….there is NO ONE like Tom.

A literal “Mr. Burlington”, Tom was born on May 26, 1948 in Burlington, Iowa, the second oldest child of Raymond F. and Dorothy E. (Moreland) Walz. He was of the Catholic faith.

He married Pam West in 1982, and together, they raised their three girls, coached softball teams, worked security for Police Productions, an association that hired security crews for traveling musicians and bands.

Tom joined the Burlington Police Department on March 25, 1980 and served his community as a police officer for over 30 years. After his retirement, he remained with the City of Burlington as a courier until earlier this year. He was very well known throughout the community, and he KNEW the community. There was no such thing as a stranger to Tom Walz. He was a family man but always said the City of Burlington was his extended family.

He was the definition of a volunteer. There was not a single community event, parade, or neighborhood block party that you did not see Tom either taking tickets, serving food and beverages, providing color guard, driving cars, providing escorts, setting up and tearing down stages, chairs and barricades or just simple enjoying his time with his “family”, the public.

He was known as the “Master Weiner Wrapper”, the past “Exalted Ruler” for the Elks, the “Haminator”, “Superman”, “Papa or Uncle Tom” and most importantly “Dad” and “Grandpa”.

Tom LIVED for St. Patrick’s Day, and dressed the part like a pro! He enjoyed traveling around with the O’Leary Brothers and carrying on Irish traditions throughout the day. He could usually be found at Farney’s; was known to have a very close relationship with a resident monkey, and may or may not have been responsible for the death of Mattress Man at the former Heilig-Meyers.

He was a huge Burlington Bees fan and took up his “spot” standing near the wall by Homers at Third. His love for fireworks had him doing shows with the Bees, the City of West Burlington 4th of July and many other area events. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan, and proudly wore his black and gold gear often.

Left behind, to continue his legacy are his three daughters, Patty Walz of Burlington, Amanda (Brandon) Walz-Orton of Burlington and Amy (Jeff) Schatterman of Coal Valley, Illinois; eight grandchildren, Ashleigh, Kayleigh, Hunter, Hudson, Alyssa, Tanner, Caleb and Lauren; great granddaughter, Layla; siblings, Larry Walz of Burlington, Connie (Dave)Yeutsy of Iowa City, Iowa, Mark (Karla) Walz of Flower Mound, Texas; step sister Susan (Stephen) Scott; step brother David (Ellen) Bloomberg and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Linda Robbins and brother-in-law Fred Robbins.

A Catholic Prayer Service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 7th at Burlington Memorial Auditorium. Visitation with family will follow until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 8th at Burlington Memorial Auditorium. Rev. Shane McCampbell will officiate. According to his wishes, cremation will be accorded following the funeral services. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested a toy be donated to Toys for Tots, donations made to Gigi’s Playhouse Quad Cities or to the Burlington Elks Lodge #84.