Robert Leonard Walz was born February 7, 1925, at Parkston, SD to Clarence and Elizabeth (Weiss) Walz. He moved with his family to Missouri, where he attended school, then returned to Parkston. During World War II, he worked at a Defense Plant in Nebraska. On January 12, 1948, he married Elenora Bracha in Mitchell. He was employed at Hormel Foods in Mitchell for many years until his retirement. He was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge.

He is survived by three children: Arley Pollreisz and husband Tom of Mitchell, SD; Sharon Ryan and husband Richard of Union, NJ; Roberta Mack and husband Clarke of Deadwood, SD; seven grandchildren, four brothers: Ray Walz and wife Betty of Piedmont, SD; Fritz Walz of Beresford, SD; Kenny Walz and wife Rosemary of Parkston, SD and Donald Walz and wife Gloria of Rapid City, SD. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elenora on October 10, 2003, his parents, an infant brother and a sister, Florence Walz.