Former Waitsburg Mayor Walt Gobel passes away

WAITSBURG-Former Waitsburg Mayor Walt Gobel passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2020. A very active member of the Waitsburg community, Gobel was a well-loved leader in our small town.

A retired Washington State Patrol trooper, Gobel was elected as Waitsburg's mayor in 2010. Gobel would go on to serve the community until 2016, tackling well-known issues like the clean- up of the former bunkhouse and passing the beloved golf cart road laws.

"Walt was one of Waitsburg's finest," Mayor and fellow Lions Club member Marty Dunn said. "He was a dear friend and fellow council member. He gave countless hours to the community that he loved, and he will be dearly missed in many capacities."

Gobel was a long-time member of the Lions Club, serving in many communities. He enjoyed working with local youth and was involved in many of the organization's youth programs. Gobel and his wife, Gwen, were among the first to volunteer to form the Waitsburg Celebration Days. Together, the Gobels coordinated the Celebration Days parade, before entrusting the event to Stacy and Erica Grende in 2019.

"With the passing of Walt Gobel, Waitsburg lost one of its greatest cheerleaders. He cared deeply for this little town, and did the best he could to promote it," Larry Johnson, good friend of the Gobels, wrote. "Walt also loved the kids and causes that benefit kids. At games he usually gave candy bars to one of the kids, and he had a knack of knowing just who needed to be lifted up. Walt was a dear friend of ours, and we will miss him tremendously. We have many wonderful memories of trips, dinners, evenings playing a game or two, or just enjoying his company. He will be truly missed."