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Writer's pictureB Patrick Jensen

My Father's Obituary

Dad's Family Record

Walter Christian Jensen (1929 - 1991)

It has long irked that when my father died over three decades ago, they got his obituary all wrong. Careless stuff - like names of his loved ones and residences were inaccurate; boilerplate copy submitted by strangers who didn’t really know him or care enough to get it right.

For example, the obit failed to mention that my dad was married to my mom for 27 years when his beloved wife died suddenly in 1986, leaving him a devastated widower. Mom suffered a brain aneurysm. She was only 53. She was the center of our family universe; and Dad was utterly destroyed by her shocking sudden loss. He and our family were never the same.

Then, just five years later, my father passed away too, in July 1991. He was just 61. Lung cancer. Tragically, at the time he was stricken, Dad had just retired, lived remote, was isolated from family and gave all the little-left he had away.

But he was a wonderful, honest, loving good man and a great father who was always there for family. He spent his entire life in sacrifice for those he loved, especially for his children. His final obit testimonial should be corrected for the record:


Walter Christian Jensen

November, 1929 - July, 1991


Walter Christian Jensen (1929 - 1991) was a very kind, gentle, quiet and unassuming man. He was born in November, 1929 in Camden, New Jersey. He lived childhood with his sister Agnes and parents in a modest home on Mickel Street in East Camden.

Young Walter circa 1937

My dad was from a Danish-Irish background and raised ardent Roman Catholic. His father, Niels Christian Jensen, worked for the old Abbotts Dairy in Philadelphia. We never knew my grandfather, but I learned that Neils, was hard drinking and apparently quite strict; and my dad’s mother was very dependent.


My father - the eldest child and only son - was the opposite of those. Dad never spoke of it; but my impression was he and his sister had it tough at home. Dad was only 14 years old when his father died, leaving he to fend as sole provider for his mom and little sister. And my father stepped up and did it!


In his boyhood days through the Great Depression & WWII, he went to Saint Joseph Elementary (he was an Alter Boy) and Camden Catholic High School (Class of 1947). I was told that young Walter was was a quiet, shy kid and not very social. He played piano but wasn’t involved in sports or clubs. His high school yearbook commenting, “A guy you would like to get to know better.”

Walter Jensen, Camden Catholic HS - Class of 1947

After high school, he was drafted during the Korean War for a brief statewide stint in the army, stationed in San Antonio Texas. Back home he worked many odd jobs, including at Acme Supermarket, managing to pay his way through night school at Drexel University for a degree in electrical engineering. He took a job as testing technician for RCA Victor in Camden where he would work for 42 years.


Jensen Family

Walter and Peggy Jensen on Honeymoon, November 1958

Walter Jensen was 29 years old when he married my mom, Margaret Mary (“Peggy”) Conboy, in November 1958.


Affectionately “Peg”, Dad always called her, Mom was red-headed oh-so Irish from North Philadelphia. They met while vacationing with friends in the Pocono mountains. Charming, far more outgoing and enormously funny, Dad was quite taken by Mom’s charismatic nature; which greatly contrasted his own quiet demeanor.


Jensen Family - Christmas 1985


They settled a small house on Springfield Avenue in Pennsauken Township, Camden County, New Jersey and raised five children there-- two girls and three boys, including Kathleen Mary, Michael Christian, Brian Patrick, Eileen Theresa and Christopher James.


Margaret Mary Jensen passed away suddenly on Valentine’s Day, February 1986. Ever hard working and always focused on the family, they toiled tirelessly together for 27 years to raise five children and put all five through college— a lifetime accomplishment of which dad was most proud.


In the End

Walter & kid sister Agnes - lifelong touchstones to the end

After Mom died, Dad took early retirement from RCA; sold the Pennsauken house and moved remote near Rehoboth Beach Delaware where he spent his final days very happily. Sadly, he didn’t get to enjoy his new found haven very long. Walter Christian Jensen died July 21, 1991 at age 61 with loved ones, including his beloved little sister and lifelong touchstone, Agnes at his side. I too was with him in the end, which remains the greatest privilege of my life. He was survived by five children (2 since deceased) ; 15 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.


He is fondly remembered for the legacy of love and sacrifice and for being a great dad. Walter Christian Jensen (1929-1991) On the record and ready for print. Sorry the correction took so long!

Love, Bri

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