Walter Eugene Proper

Walter Eugene Proper 98 passed away on July 9th 2026. Walter better known as Gene by friends and family was born on July 28th 1927 at his grandmother's house in Catskill New York. His family spent the first year of his life in Catskill where the amazing bond started developing between him and his grandmother. Gene told us that he would sometimes ride his bicycle from Rotterdam to Catskill to see his grandmother. No electric bikes then and only one gear. In 1928 they moved to Rotterdam where Gene spent all of his younger years. We would hear stories of his first job at age 13 helping neighbors do yard work, cleaning houses and cleaning coal ash out of neighbors stoves. He used to ride his bike to Scotia 3 days a week to clean a wealthy family's house for 13 cents an hour. He also worked at his uncle's gas station and at the Army Depot after school. At age 14 he told us he started spending time with his new friend Bob Cambage at their family farm on Pangburn road. This is where he met his sweetheart Martha. They both attended and graduated from Draper School. They had some good lifelong friends from school and often attended the school reunions. After Gene graduated high school he attended a trade school in Troy where he studied to become a certified diesel mechanic. Soon after trade school he enlisted into the Navy as a Seabee. He served in World War II and the Korean War. He would tell stories of his experiences and the many construction projects he was a part of. He married Martha in June of 1948 and they lived their entire lives in the same house that they built on the Cambage farm. Gene spent his adult life working long hard hours as an equipment operator through the Operating Engineers and as a heavy equipment mechanic. He loved telling stories of all the equipment he operated including steam-powered machines and the many projects he worked on in upstate New York. When Gene wasn't working he enjoyed spending time at our many area lakes. His parents owned camps on The Great Sacandaga Lake where Gene learned to drive a boat at a young age. He loved the water and in his early retirement years would often take Martha to Lake George and spend the day on his son's boat. Gene also enjoyed bowling, gardening, fishing, leather tooling, fixing up field cars and watching his sons drive them next door on the Cambage farm. He helped his sons build a couple of elaborate tree houses and also spent time making a go-kart track for them and taking them racing. He had his own go-kart and could often be seen flying around the track with his boys. He also spent a few years helping out with the Johnson family stock cars. When the grandchildren came, there were many trips to Watertown NY to enjoy afternoons with the family.

Gene retired from full-time work at age 62 and occasionally picked up part-time jobs to keep busy. Soon after retirement he bought their first motor home which Martha and Gene enjoyed using for at least 20 years. During those years they traveled from Canada to Key West always spending their winters in Florida. They made many friends that they enjoyed spending time with at the RV parks.

His most memorable friend Dennis lived in Canada. Gene would meet up with him every year in Florida and they would go out fishing when weather permitted.

Also soon after retirement Gene surprised the family by coming home with a beautiful 1987 Honda Goldwing motorcycle. He had very little experience riding a motorcycle up to this point and this was a big bike to learn on. He got the hang of it pretty quickly and actually joined an " over-the-hill " biker group in his late 80"s. He bought Martha a helmet and they enjoyed occasional rides together. Soon after they're 50th wedding anniversary Martha was afflicted with a physical aliment and thus began Gene's journey as a caregiver. He was a faithful husband providing for her needs untill her passing 22 years later.

His son John surprised him in October 2018 with a trip to Washington DC on the Patriot flight. It was a 17 hour day flying into Reagan Airport and then taking a bus to many of the war memorials. It was very honoring to all the veterans that were present. A very full day for someone who was 90 years old but he held up well, only sneaking away once to put aspirin cream on his knee. As people at the airport were applauding and saluting the veterans, Gene commented that he didn't deserve the attention because he was only in the construction battalion.

Walter was predecease by his loving wife Martha, and his sister Margaret Aitken (Ed). He is survived by his two sons Robert Eugene (Linda) of Kentucky, and John Raymond (Victoria) of Princetown New York, his three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Gene will be remembered as a very caring husband, a loving and supportive father and grandfather, a lifelong resident of Princetown, a humble veteran, a very skilled equipment operator, and a good neighbor. Gene was a fine example of the greatest generation that ever lived.

Private services will be held at the Saratoga National Cemetery

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all the staff at Kingsway Manor and Kingsway Arms for there compassionate care and support during the past 5 months.

Memorial contributions may be made in Gene's memory to: Camp Pinnacle 621 Pinnacle Rd Voorheesvillle, New York 12186