Walter Kolb spent 22 years on the Waukesha County Board and helped make many decisions for the direction of the county.
But his wife, Anita, said his proudest moment came this year and didn't have anything to do with a county board vote. It was when Walter's son, Robert, was sworn in to the county board.
"He was so proud," said Anita, who was there taking pictures of the two. "His heart was about to pop out of his chest, because he was so excited for Robert."
The two Kolbs served on the board together for five months.
Walter Kolb, 73, of the town of Waukesha, died on Monday, Sept. 22, with his family by his side at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee.
Anita said Walter went in to have heart valve replacement surgery last week. Anita said the surgery went "very well" and "textbook," but Walter's heart stopped beating during the surgery. The doctors revived him with electrical shock treatments, but Anita said "he never recovered and never regained consciousness."
Anita said Walter also suffered from kidney disease and diabetes.
"He had heart problems for 30 years," Anita said. "He had been slowly going (down hill). His body was just tired."
Despite his physical limitations, Anita said her husband always made time for his responsibilities at the county and within his business.
"He loved his politics," said Anita, who was married to Walter for eight years and the two were together for 40 years. "He never wanted to miss a county board or political event."
Walter and Anita also worked together at Audio Implements, 1703 Pearl St., a business where Walter invented the Audio Clarifier, an ear piece that high-profile politicians and major television networks have used for decades.
He bought Wisconsin Ear Mold Company in Wauwatosa in 1966, which became a family business. Walter moved to Waukesha in 1984 where he became involved in politics, including the town of Waukesha.
“We are all saddened at the courthouse,” Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas said.
Vrakas said as recently as a couple weeks ago he met with Kolb, who had been serving as the chairman of the Land Use, Parks and Environment Committee, to discuss the upcoming budget.
“I’ve got a good memory of him,” said Vrakas, who noted that Walter was also voted by his peers as vice chair of the Waukesha County Board this year.
Vrakas and Anita both said Walter will be remembered for being fair and honest.
“He would listen to both sides and would work through a question or problem,” Anita said. “He was a man of his word and was willing to help anyone.”
Vrakas, who said Walter brought common sense to the board and brought a strong business background, added: “His handshake was worth its weight in gold. He was that kind of statesman.”
A visitation for Kolb will begin at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd. in Waukesha. A funeral service will follow at 7 p.m.