Walter C. Mack

Walter C. Mack

1920-2010

Walter C. Mack lost a valiant fight against Alzheimer’s disease and congestive heart failure on August 1, 2010, at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank. He was born February, 8, 1920 in Buffalo, N.Y.

Mack was a popular teacher in the Pasadena school system for 36 years before retiring in 1985. During his retirement, Mack and his wife, Patricia, lived in Northwest Glendale.

After graduating from Lafayette High School in Buffalo, Mack attended Michigan State University. He was selected All American in both track and cross country during his sophomore and junior years.

Shortly after Pearl Harbor Day, Mack enlisted in the Navy. He was trained as a pharmacist mate and then volunteered to serve in Marine Corps. During action in the South Pacific, Mack was wounded while rendering medical aid to fellow Marines on New Britain Island and received the Purple Heart medal.

After recovering from his wounds, Mack returned to Michigan State and resumed running track and cross Country. He again was selected All American in both sports during his final two years before graduation.

Mack later earned his master’s degree from Columbia University. He continued graduate work at the University of California at Berkeley before beginning his teaching career in Pasadena in 1952.

Mack spent much of his teaching career at John Muir High School where he taught advanced world history. His essay tests became known throughout the school as the “Mack Attack”. To make his course more interesting, Mack presented to his classes photos and stories he collected during three trips around the world.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Harris Mack, a retired teacher at Glendale High School; sister and brother-in-law, Grace and Stan Padd; several nieces and nephews; and hundreds of former students.

A memorial service, reception, and buffet will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011. For further details, please call 818-241-6337.