Helmut Sauter
I am Helmut Sauter from Germany. I am a cousin of Walter. My father Hugo was the brother of Hermine and Rosina. I got to know when he visited his relatives in Nordhalden. He was stationed in the U.S. Navy in Germany at the time. I remember him well. He was always cheerful and laughed a lot. He gave his relatives a slide show with beautiful pictures from the USA. I only found out through the internet, that he died. My condolences go out to the family.
I like to think of Aunt Hermine with gratitude. She sent as many large packages after the war. It was always a very joyful event for the whole family. I met Aunt Hermine in Nordhalden. For me, she was a real lady with a warm charisma. I am happy, that there were such two wonderful personalities in my family. I will always cherish their memory.

Tribute by Dick Schreiber (transcribed by Karl Sauter):

Hi!
I’m Dick Schreiber.
94 years old, been here a long time.
You know the old saying, “If you live long enough, you’ll have to bury all your friends.”

Well, Walt was one of my real good friends.
I have a couple of things to say about how I deal with it when I have a close or dear friend die.

So, let me give you a little history -
In WWII, I went through cadet training as part of the aircraft section for the army. And there was a long process to be going through, and we got moved around from field to field all over Texas. This took quite a while.
Anyhow, this gave me a new term. The people who were assigned to these stations or fields were called “permanent party.” We cadets just moved in and out, and in and out, but the other people were “permanent party.” Well, that is a term that I have hung on to. In this world, nobody is “permanent party.”

So one of things that I remind myself of when one of my dear friends dies, is that we all here are not “permanent party.” Nobody is “permanent party.”

Something to add to this.
One of my favorite poems is ‘Gunda Din.’
There are some really priceless parts in there that I like to borrow from.
Gunga Din, he was a water carrier, that’s what he was. One of the guys says in the poem Gunda Din; “You limpin’ lump of brick-dust, Gunda Din … Though I’ve belted you and flayed you, by the living God that made you, you’re a better man than I am, Gunda Din!”

Well, another part of that same poem is where he says;
“So I’ll meet him later on, in the place where he is gone.”
And that is kind of the way I am. None of us is “permanent party” here, but when somebody goes [I think] “I’ll see you later on, in the place where you have gone.” And that [thought] is kind of something that settles me, forever.

It is okay to have lived to a ripe old age, but remember, if you do, you have to bury all your friends.
That’s it.

My earliest memory of my uncle Walt is their wedding day! I was honored to be my aunt and uncle's flower girl. My brother was the ring bearer. My great aunt made his suit and my dress!! It is the one and only time my brother has worn a suit!!! As the flower girl I remember us walking down the aisle side by side. I was to pick handfuls of petals from the basket I was carrying and letting them drop on the floor!! This is one time I did not have to pick things up from the floor after I dropped them!!! 
The next memory I want to share is Christmas Day with my aunt and uncle, along with my grandparents. After dinner and any remaining Christmas gifts had been opened, it was December birthday time!! First we sang "Happy Birthday" to my grandfather and he opened his gifts. His birthday is December 25th! Next, we sang "Happy Birthday" to my grandmother and she opened her gifts. Her birthday is December 29th! Last, but not least, it was my uncle's birthday!!! We sang "Happy Birthday" to him and he opened his gifts. His birthday is December 30th!  He was a very patient man!!!!
The next thing I want to share is the following poem by Henry Scott Holland.
Death Is Nothing At All
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.
Everything remains exactly as it was.
I am I, and you are you,
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
What ever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

Dearest Walt, I will miss seeing the way you love and care for Leah. I will miss the way you yell "phone" when I call her and I will miss your matter-of-fact German-ness. As a "Simmons girl," I will miss your stories of walking across the Mass Ave. bridge in the snow to pick up your Simmons date. I will miss your wisdom, your sense of humor, the twinkle in your blue eyes and your understated humor.
It was such an honor being with you near the end of your time on earth. I am grateful to your family for sharing you when they had so little time left with you and I am ever so grateful for Leah's bravery in letting go of the one she loved most. You have both taught me so much about life, love and goodbyes.
Love always, Katie

My favorite memory of Grandpa is one from the last time I saw him. We were at the rehabilitation center with my now-husband and other family members. A nurse was attending to Grandma, and had said something odd. Grandpa and I shared a look, indicating we both thought the nurse's comment was odd, and we both shrugged at the same time. I smiled as Grandpa silently chuckled and winked at me. I miss him every day and am so thankful for my many fond memories of him.

Leah and Family,
I always enjoyed seeing Walt and Leah at church. I always loved to visit with you both after church. My deepest condolences go out from my heart to you and your family. Walt will be really be missed by many!
Love,
Pattie Ahmanson McCord

Dear Sauter Family,
We are neighbors from « down in the cul-de-sac ». We enjoyed Walter’s walks around the neighborhood for the last 16 years. He always had time to spare and amazingly interesting stories to tell from his service days or otherwise, his curiosity was endless! We will surely miss him and his smiley face!
William and Daniella at 6176

Great Dad!
Took us on family vacations for years! Many thanks for his care and protection of his family. He is an inspiration to all of us!

What a beautiful man. Watching him on Sundays at Church, with his tall, strong, elegant stance was mesmerizing for me. Love poured from his soul. I'll never forget when he would reach the back aisles of the church with the collection basket, he always winked at me. I cherish that memory.

We will all miss Walt. I appreciated it when he traveled to Colorado for my doctoral graduation. Intelligent man.