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STAMFORD, Conn. Walter J. Plant, a retired Stamford science teacher, died June 26 at his home in Stamford. He was 91.
Born in Chicago in 1921, he was the eldest son of a door-to-door vacuum salesman. Plant played semi-professional baseball in Chicago in the late 1930s after being noticed by a scout and signed to a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Ten months into World War II, Plant's baseball ambitions were cut short when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He rose quickly through the ranks to lead a heavy weapons platoon as part of the 96th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theatre.
Plant was wounded in late 1944 during an American assault in southern Philippines. He returned to action for the U.S. assault on the island of Okinawa, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star and wounded a second time.
Unable to continue playing baseball due to his injuries, Plant began a long career as a teacher in the early 1950s. He taught physical education at inner-city schools in Chicago for several years before relocating to Stamford in 1955.
Plant became a biology teacher at Dolan Junior High School. He moved to Rippowam High School when it opened in 1961 and retired as head of the science department in 1981. Plant's family said that he was a beloved science teacher "who was celebrated by his students for his passion, humor and his occasional handstands on the lab tables."
He was married for more than 65 years to the former Mary Lombardi, a Stamford native, who survives him. He is also survived by two sons Michael and Stephen, two daughters Maryellen Baker and Dr. Anne Plant, and seven grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Edward Lawrence Funeral Home in Darien. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John's Church in Darien. Burial with full military honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Vitas Hospice Charitable Fund, Hawley Lane, Suite 1204, Stratford, CT 06614, or to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.
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