Walter Szczerban of Wilmington, Delaware, returned to the arms of the Lord on Sunday, August 31, 2025, after a long struggle with chronic illness. He was 77 years old. He will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend.
Walter was born on August 22, 1948, in a displaced persons camp in Landshut, Germany. His parents, Wasyl and Justyna Szczerban, had been conscripted from their families in Western Ukraine and forced to labor on farms during World War II. The family moved to the United States when Walter was nine months old, first working on a farm in Galena, Maryland, for two years to repay their passage, and then settling in Wilmington. Walter was raised in the tightly knit community around St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church—a community he supported throughout his life. After learning to speak English in first grade, he attended Catholic schools for his entire education.
Much of Walter’s life speaks to the potency of reaching for the American dream: that despite poor circumstances, it is possible to attain a fuller life through individual effort and belief. He graduated from Salesianum School in 1966, and departed for Austin, Texas, where he graduated from St. Edward’s University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1970. While there, he worked as a concert and event promoter and taught as an adjunct instructor at the University of Texas. After college, he pursued further education in business and real estate.
Upon returning to Delaware, Walter entered the outdoor advertising business and made a career there for 39 years until his retirement in 2009 from ClearChannel Outdoor. He worked first in operations and real estate; he was responsible for developing the locations and leases for most of the billboards in New Castle County and in Delaware along Interstate 95. Later, he found his calling in sales and sales leadership, becoming a VP of sales and handling accounts for many of Delaware’s most significant cultural institutions, companies, and political figures. He loved the business and how the role led him to meet and learn about people and what made them tick. Through it all he maintained the highest ethical standards.
Walter made his most lasting mark in business as a leader of people. He saw the best in people—and then demanded that they give their best. His former employees and colleagues describe him as a transformative and compassionate leader who helped them develop their innate talents and overcome challenges in their own professional and personal paths.
Many of Walter’s most formative experiences as a young man were as part of the Delaware Jaycees, the civic organization that joins young professionals together for personal development and community service. His life exemplifies the Jaycees credo, particularly the belief “that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life, … that Earth’s great treasure lies in human personality, and that service to humanity is the best work of life.” He served in various leadership positions in the Jaycees, including as state president from 1977 to 1978, after which he traveled nationally to local chapters as a motivational speaker. He continued as an active Jaycees member for decades, and even hosted a Jaycees Senate gathering just two weeks before his death. The friends he made while active in the Jaycees stayed close to him throughout his life, and were among his most treasured relationships.
He was also dedicated to his work with the Committee of 100, promoting responsible economic growth in Delaware and helping to develop young leaders across the state. He also enjoyed working behind the scenes on political campaigns.
Walter loved the water and boating on the “Reel Fun II.” Nothing made him happier than to be out on the ocean with a fishing rod in hand—chumming for tuna, baiting hooks for flounder, or trolling for striped bass with the Beach Boys on the radio. He loved music his entire life, and spent his final years amassing the record collection he could not afford as a boy.
The defining relationship of Walter’s life was with his wife of nearly 48 years, Marbeth. They met in the mid-1970s and married on October 15, 1977. Their first son, Christopher, arrived in 1981, with another son, Michael, in 1984, and their daughter, Kate, in 1987. Their love and commitment to each other set an inspiring example that was noticed by everyone who met them. Walter took immense pride in his family—not just their accomplishments, but who they became as people. For him, family was his most important priority, and he made countless sacrifices on their behalf.
He was a man of deep faith and conviction, devoted to the St. Nicholas parish community and to carrying on the legacy of his parents. All could see that his faith was an integral part of everything he did.
One theme of Walter’s life is character building: the way he helped build people up and challenged them to reach their full potential. He expressed his own strength of character through years of health struggles. Supported by Marbeth, his caregiver and rock of support, he persevered through decades of chronic illness and constant pain, to see all of his children get married and achieve success, and to see his family grow to include five wonderful grandchildren: Theodore, Noah, Isabel, Juliet, and Aries.
Walter’s family expresses deep gratitude to Nicole Scott, his physician, whose many years of exceptional compassion, kindness, and unwavering commitment allowed him to experience life far beyond expectations, enjoying his favorite activities and spending cherished time with family and friends.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of nearly 48 years, Marbeth; his sister Jane Rettig; his son Michael (Kristen); his daughter, Kate (Andrew) Zinn and their boys, Theodore, Noah, and Aries; and his daughter-in-law, Sarah Leivick, and her daughters, Isabel and Juliet Szczerban. He was preceded in death by his son Christopher in June 2023, and his infant sister Olga before departing Germany.
Visitation will be at 10am on Saturday, September 6, at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 800 W. Lea Blvd., followed by Divine Liturgy at 11am. All are invited to the church hall for a reception immediately after, where the family welcomes the sharing of memories and photos.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Walter’s name be made to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church. Burial will be private.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
