Obituary of Graham Stuart Waltz

Graham Stuart Waltz passed away peacefully in Hope, Maine on January 28, 2025. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 15, 1941 to Raymond Waltz and Edna (Johnson) Waltz.  He graduated in 1959 from Schurz High School in Chicago and earned a BA in Journalism from Southern Illinois University.  After college, he backpacked and traveled through Europe. He met a lot of interesting people and loved the connections he made through his travels. 

He worked at Campbell Mithun & Bates Advertising until he started his own firm, G. Waltz Advertising in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  His company was bought out in the mid 1990’s, and he subsequently retired. Tragically, in late 2008, Graham lost most of his right leg due to an injury.  He was told by his doctors that he would be wheelchair bound for the rest of life.  Through hard work, focus and determination, he was able to walk again using a prosthetic and a walker for a number of years.  Sadly, he eventually was confined to a wheelchair until his death. 

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary (Haracz)(Lauer) Waltz, his step daughters, Kate Bracher and her four children - Kaitlyn (Tyler) Haskins, Bill (Bella) Bracher, Maddie Bracher, Evie Bracher, one great grandchild Harper Haskins, and Sue (Norman) Denton and their four children - Parker Denton, Sam Denton, Luke Denton and Jack Denton.  Sister, Linda Waltz (Jim Dziedzic), nieces Megan (Troy) Hahn and Stacy, nephews Kevin (Lynn) Bowen and Allan Bowen, a great niece and great nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Glenn Bowen, his son-in-law, Michael Bracher, his brother-in-law, Thomas Haracz, his sister-in-law, Ruth Schram and his beloved dog pals, Pinto, Shannon and Pip.

Graham enjoyed watching most sports, especially the Chicago professional teams, college football and tennis. Graham loved fishing the deep seas around Cabo San Lucas in the 70’s/80’s, as well as the lakes of Minnesota.  He was very athletic and before his accident he loved playing handball at the Chicago and Minneapolis Athletic Clubs and at any YMCA near and far where he could pick up a game.  He rode miles on his bike through Minneapolis neighborhoods and walked around the downtown lakes. His favorite adventure was driving his 1965 red Sunbeam Tiger everywhere.

Graham loved music, all genres, but classical, folk and jazz were favorites.  In college, he was part of a folk singing group with two friends.  They sang and entertained at many a frat party and local pubs.  He knew every lyric to Tom Lehrer’s oeuvre and was thrilled to meet any other Lehrer enthusiast as they gleefully sang a ditty or two in greeting.

He and Mary moved to Hope, Maine in May of 2012.  He continued to get as much exercise as he possibly could by walking and rolling with his pal Pip up and down the hilly roads near their home. It was a challenge and he met it head on.  What he enjoyed most of all is meeting, greeting, chatting with all the people, young and old, along the way.

He loved swimming at the Camden YMCA and getting to know all the members who joined him in the sauna for some sweat and chats.  

The world has lost a truly unique and remarkable man — witty, smart, generous, kind, interesting, mischievous, silly and truly engaged with all people. No matter what was thrown at him, he worked through it.  

If you are lucky, once in a lifetime you may meet a person like him, and you will be better for it and never forget the experience.  He will be deeply missed. 

Donations can be made in honor of Graham to the Penobscot Bay YMCA by donating online at www.penbayymca.org or sending a check to PO Box 840, Rockport, ME 04856. 

There will be a celebration of life on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Cellardoor Winery, 367 Youngtown Rd, Lincolnville, ME 04849 from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.  For more information, pictures, tributes, etc., please visit the Riposta Funeral Home site at ripostafh.com.