Ronnie Diedrich Waldt

Ronnie Diedrich Waldt, 70, husband of Mary Alice Carnes Waldt of North Charleston and a long time resident of Walhalla, died Friday, November 28, 2008 at Trident Medical Center in Charleston. A native of Walhalla, Mr. Waldt was the son of the late Raymond D. “Shine” and Esther Lula Peay Waldt. He was a graduate of Walhalla High School class of 1956 and attended Clemson University. He also served in the US Army and Army Reserves. He is retired from a long career as a production engineer at JP Stephens and plant manager of Andrea Fashions. Mr. Waldt was a life long member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving in many capacities including church council, Sunday school superintendent and advisor to Luther League. He was a leader in development of the church’s Biggerstaff Retreat on Lake Keowee and the resulting partnership with the SC Lutheran Retreat Centers. Mr. Waldt led the Lutheran Men’s organization at St. John’s for many years. Mr. Waldt was a very active member of the Walhalla community serving as president of the Walhalla Chamber of Commerce, member of the Rotary Club, German American Club and president of the Jaycees. Mr. Waldt was a joint founder of the Walhalla Oktoberfest. In addition to his wife of the home, Mr. Waldt is survived by daughters, Lisa W. Short and husband Jeff of Sullivan’s Island, SC and Jan Waldt of Atlanta, GA; step daughters, Susan Donald Gauthreaux and husband David of Mandeville, LA and Jenna Donald Parish and husband Chris of Charleston, SC; step son, Jim Donald and wife Cindy of Seneca, SC; and grandchildren, William and Sam Short, Kathryn and David J. Gauthreaux, Dylan and Heather Rose Donald, and Rylan, Brinn and Silas Parish. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, December 2, 2008 from St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM, Monday, December 1, 2008 at Davenport Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Biggerstaff Capital Campaign, c/o St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 301 W. Main Street, Walhalla, SC 29691. The family is at their respective homes.