Walter Edward Apelt

Walter Edward Apelt, 82, of Poquoson and Scottsville, Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Born in San Antonio, TX, the son of Armin Otto and Ella Anna Joraschky Apelt, Walter Edward Apelt and his family moved to the Springfield, Virginia area when he was about two years old.

After graduating from Fairfax County Schools, he then went on to the University of Virginia, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering. He had become very interested in HAM radio in high school and continued to spend many hours making friends all over the world. While at UVA, he was a DJ on WTJU, playing the Classics.

A member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity, Walter also served in the ROTC program and was a member of the Arnold Air Society and the Civil Air Patrol in Charlottesville. He then joined the United States Air Force upon graduation in 1965, serving at Gunter AFB in Montgomery, Alabama, as Second-in-Command of planes flying monitoring missions over the Cuban Area. He later transferred to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., eventually retiring as a Captain.

After time spent in the world of real estate and development, including years overseeing the build-out of then Newport News Industrial Park at Oyster Point, now City Center, he truly loved his financial advisor career, helping his many clients prepare their future.

Walter married Patricia Smith Apelt in Poquoson 60 years ago, on July 10, 1965, with Reginald Walton officiating. After the military, they lived in Springfield, Charlottesville, Scottsville, and Virginia Beach, settling in Poquoson for many, many years, before retiring back to the Scottsville area.

In addition to his wife, remaining to cherish Walter’s memory are four children, Kathleen Apelt, Wendy Apelt Matheson, John Apelt, Charles Apelt, and Laura Apelt Maney; twelve grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his sister Bernice Apelt Mussey of Springfield, Virginia; and a great number of extended family.

Preceding Walter in death are his Mother and Father, and son John Armin Apelt. 

The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Thacker Brothers Scottsville Funeral Home. 

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