Walter H. Eggleson

Walter H. Eggleson was born February 26, 1918, in Stoughton, Wisconsin, the son of Elmer and Anna Eggleson. Raised in Stoughton, Walter graduated from Stoughton High School in 1936, where he played both football and basketball and was a member of the school band. He later attended Madison Business College and worked in the insurance business before World War II changed the course of his life.

Walter entered the U.S. Army in July 1942 and eventually served overseas as a Staff Sergeant with the 378th Infantry Regiment of the 95th Infantry Division. The division fought as part of General George S. Patton's Third Army during the campaign across Europe.

On November 15, 1944, Walter was wounded in action in France. Early reports to his family described his wounds as slight, but later accounts revealed that several bones in his right leg had been broken. He was hospitalized in France for approximately two weeks before being transferred to England. While recovering there, Walter was visited by his younger brother, Corporal Harold “Bud” Eggleson, who was also serving overseas.

Walter eventually returned to the United States and continued his recovery at a military hospital on Staten Island, New York. For his combat wounds, he was awarded the Purple Heart. His World War II service and the injuries he suffered would become an important part of his lifelong connection with fellow veterans.

After returning to Stoughton, Walter resumed his career in insurance. He became a local agent and eventually operated the Walter H. Eggleson Insurance Agency on Main Street for more than 25 years. But business represented only one part of his life. Walter developed an extraordinary record of involvement in Stoughton's civic, veterans, business, and cultural organizations.

In 1946, Walter was elected Commander of American Legion Otis Sampson Post 59 as part of a historic slate of officers composed entirely of World War II veterans. He succeeded World War I veteran Malvin H. Teige, symbolizing an important generational transition within the Post as returning World War II veterans assumed leadership. Walter served as Post Commander in 1947 and remained active in veterans affairs for the rest of his life.

His service through Post 59 continued well beyond his year as Commander. Walter chaired the local Toys for Tots drive, collecting toys for needy children and arranging for damaged toys to be repaired before Christmas. Some of the collected toys were also distributed through CARE to children in Europe still suffering in the aftermath of the war. He later chaired a local USO fundraising effort supporting servicemen still on active duty and wounded veterans receiving treatment in hospitals.

Walter married Darlene Skindingsrude of Whitewater on May 18, 1947. Darlene, a graduate of the Milwaukee Hospital School of Nursing, had worked as a surgical nurse at Stoughton Community Hospital. Together Walter and Darlene raised five children—daughters Sally, Jo Ellen, Gudrun and Marta, and son Andrew.

Walter became one of Stoughton's most energetic civic promoters. He served for more than a decade as secretary and treasurer of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce, a position that placed him at the center of efforts to promote local businesses and attract new opportunities to the city. He was known for constantly generating ideas for Stoughton's future—from improved storefronts and tourism promotion to restaurants, lodging and other businesses he believed the community needed.

His enthusiasm was perhaps best captured by his simple explanation of why he devoted so much time to the city: he had tremendous faith in Stoughton.

Among Walter's most lasting contributions was his role in the revival and growth of Stoughton's Syttende Mai celebration. After the city's traditional Norwegian celebration had faded during the World War II years, Walter was among the local leaders who helped bring it back and develop it into an annual community festival.

He worked tirelessly to promote the celebration and Stoughton's Norwegian heritage. Photographs from the period show Walter alongside other community leaders promoting Syttende Mai, and his enthusiasm for the festival became part of his reputation around town. Friends affectionately referred to him as “Mr. Norwegian.”

Walter's community involvement extended far beyond Syttende Mai. He was involved with the Stoughton Industrial Development Corporation, served on the city's planning commission, participated in numerous community fundraising efforts, and was secretary-treasurer of the Riverside Cemetery Association. In 1953, the Stoughton Junior Chamber of Commerce honored him as its Young Man of the Year.

His enthusiasm for Stoughton was not merely ceremonial. Walter spent years corresponding with people interested in moving to the area, answering questions from prospective residents, promoting local businesses and searching for opportunities that might strengthen the community. One newspaper profile described the enormous amount of correspondence, brochures, sketches and ideas that surrounded him as he worked on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce.

Walter remained active in First Lutheran Church and its Brotherhood, Kegonsa Masonic Lodge No. 73, the Stoughton Country Club, and American Legion Post 59. He was also a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

On August 26, 1969, Walter was participating in the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce's annual golf outing at the Stoughton Country Club when he died unexpectedly. He was only 51 years old.

His death shocked the community he had spent so much of his life promoting. Walter left behind his wife Darlene and their five children, as well as a remarkable record of military service, veterans advocacy, business leadership and community involvement. He was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Stoughton with military graveside rites.

Walter Eggleson's life had been remarkably full for one that ended so early. He had survived combat and serious wounds in World War II, returned home to raise a family and build a business, led American Legion Post 59, helped fellow veterans, promoted Stoughton relentlessly, and helped revive a celebration that would become one of the community's defining traditions.

Decades later, Stoughton still celebrates many of the things Walter spent his life promoting—its Norwegian heritage, its Syttende Mai festival, its businesses, its veterans and, most of all, its sense of community.