Walter Long
1932 - 2020
Walter Long, retired Clinical Social
Worker died November 24, 2020. He was born August 28, 1932 in Norton,
Ks. His mother, Beulah Samuelson, died in childbirth and he was cared
for by his maternal grandmother, Pearl Samuelson and his Aunt, Mary
Margaret Samuelson. When he was one and one half years old, his
father, Ralph Long, a Methodist minister, married Mary Margaret.
As a 'preacher's kid" he grew up
in several different Kansas communities including Lenora, Hunter,
Agra, Wayne, Logan, and Tescott. He graduated from Logan High School
in 1950.
He met his future wife Shirley Mosburg
at the Broughton Methodist Church Easter Sunrise Service in 1950
where his father was minister. They were married in Broughton
Methodist Church on August 28, 1953. He was a charter member of the
Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Newton, Kansas where he
and Shirley are current active members.
After 2 years at Kansas Wesleyan, he
joined the Air Force and was discharged four years later to return to
Kansas Wesleyan for his undergraduate degree. His major studies were
sociology, elementary education, vocal music and church music. He
then completed his Master's degree in Social Work at the University
of Kansas in 1960. He later completed a Program of Advance Study in
Social Work from Smith College, 1964.
Walter's 35 year work history focused
on children and families in mental health and youth residential
programs sponsored by private church related institutions.
(Youthville, Prairie View, and Missouri Methodist Home for Children).
He also coordinated field placement and taught students at Tabor
College in the 1960's.
Upon retirement he volunteered at
several community outreach programs in Newton including Health
Ministries and Respite Care. Otherwise his activities included trying
to learn how to play golf, bicycle rides across Kansas (19 times),
bicycling with this wife Shirley, weekly table tennis competition,
gardening, photography, music, church attendance and mixing with the
grandchildren.
Walt placed a high value on encouraging
and challenging people to experience growth, resolution of their
struggles for a more satisfying life, and change for the better in
their lives.
Proceeding him in death were his
parents and half-brother William Andrew Long. Survivors include one
daughter, Sheri Appel, (Jon) Manhattan, Ks. Jared, Logan and Aaron
(Lindsey). Two sons, Wes Long (Sara) of Silver Spring, MD. Sienna,
Wilder and Sage. Wayne Long (Sheri Anne) of Spring Hill, Ks. Krista
and Matt. Two sisters were adopted by his parents, Evelyn Kay Zink
and Margaret Louise Long.
Memorial contributions can be made to
the music department at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, 1200
Boyd Ave. Newton, Ks. No service is planned at this time.
