Walter C. "Carl" Cremer, of West Deer, former chief of medical administration at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System in East Liberty, died Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003, after surgery for an abdominal aneurysm. He was 66.
Mr. Cremer's active duty ended in 1960, but his heart remained with the military as he dedicated his life to serving the country's veterans.
As chief of medical administration at two VA hospitals during his career, Mr. Cremer had to make tough decisions, and he had the respect of those who worked with him.
"He hated to fire people, but he had to sometimes as an administrator," said his wife, Elizabeth. "But his co-workers liked him. He had a lot of friends at the VA."
Mr. Cremer was raised in Georgetown, Ohio, and graduated from Georgetown High School. After two years at the University of Cincinnati, he decided that college wasn't for him and enlisted in the Army. He went to quartermaster school and studied logistics and supply strategies.
Mr. Cremer served two years in the Army, then became an administrative clerk with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Cleveland. The job required him to move constantly, until he joined the VA hospital in Pittsburgh in 1979. He retired in 1993.
Retirement gave Mr. Cremer and his wife a chance to indulge in one of their favorite activities -- traveling. The couple traveled around the country in a motor home. Utah and Colorado were two of Mr. Cremer's favorite states.
Mr. Cremer also was a sports fan and especially enjoyed college basketball.
"He was a down-to-earth guy," his wife said. "He liked the simple things."
In addition to his wife, Mr. Cremer is survived by three sons, John, of Delaware, Ohio; David, of Columbus, Ohio; and Kevin, of Shaler; a daughter, Marian, of Shaler; his mother, Beatrice, of Rockville, Md.; a sister, Elaine Tiller, of Silver Spring, Md.; a brother, Leon, of New York City; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Walter H. Cremer.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Schellhaas Funeral Home, 5864 Heckert Road, Richland. Services will be held at the funeral home at 8 p.m. today. Interment will be Monday in Confidence Cemetery, Georgetown, Ohio.
