Walter S. Wisniewski, 98, business and civic leader

Walter S. Wisniewski, 98, of Cheltenham, a retired business and civic leader in the Philadelphia area, died Friday, Jan. 30, of cerebral vascular disease at his retirement home in Venice, Fla.

Mr. Wisniewski, a son of Polish immigrants, grew up in Philadelphia. He lived in Cheltenham for 30 years until moving to Florida in 1982.

After graduating from Northeast High School and studying engineering at the former Drexel Institute, Mr. Wisniewski in 1944 became a cofounder and executive vice president of Repco Products Corp. in Philadelphia. He also was a director of Bell's-Repco Ltd., a related joint business venture in Britain.

During his tenure, Repco Products grew. The company manufactured residential heating equipment and supplied metal products to the cable-television and telephone industry. He held several patents related to developments within the industry.

Mr. Wisniewski was a former chairman of the Steel Boiler Institute and a member of the Institute of Boiler and Radiator Manufacturers. In Philadelphia, he was a past president of the Northeast Manufacturers Association.

Community service was important to Mr. Wisniewski, who sat on the Cheltenham Township School Board from 1966 to 1974 as president and vice president. When he joined the board, he told reporters: "In our increasingly complex society, it is essential that every boy and girl be granted the opportunity to develop their capabilities so they may live successful and satisfying adult lives."

During a time when drugs, smoking, dress codes, and discipline were emerging as issues at the high-school and junior-high level, Mr. Wisniewski created what he called "rap sessions" so that parents, students, and educators could air their views. "And you know," he joked to reporters, "we sometimes hear positive comments at these sessions, as well."

He was very active in the Valley Forge Council (now the Cradle of Liberty Council) of the Boy Scouts of America as chairman of the Washington District and a troop committeeman for Cheltenham Troop 22. He was honored with the Order of Merit for his volunteer service.

A lifelong Episcopalian, he was a vestryman at All Saints Episcopal Church in Crescentville.

In his leisure time, Mr. Wisniewski enjoyed golf, travel, and reading. He was a member of North Hills Country Club in Montgomery County.

He married Jean Bollerman Wisniewski and was devoted to his family. Mr. Wisniewski will be remembered for his strength of character, sense of fairness, generosity, and compassion, his relatives said in a statement.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons Steven J. and Robert E.; a daughter, Doris J. Wisniewski Morgan; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be at the Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota, Fla., at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27. Inurnment will follow.

Contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, 1485 Valley Forge Rd., Wayne, Pa. 19087.