Theodore Helmus Wallhofer

Published 2:18 pm Friday, January 13, 2012

On January 9, 2012, Theodore Helmus Wallhofer passed away while battling cancer with his daughters and his friends at his side.  Ted was born in New York, NY in 1937 to Theodore John and Cecilia (Galler) Wallhofer, where he finished high school in 1955.  He immediately joined the Air Force, served as a jet mechanic and was honorably discharged in 1958.  He married his teenage sweetheart, Marian (Muller) Wallhofer at Paine AFB, Everett, WA in 1956 and had their first daughter, Terri, one year later.  The family settled in Hewlett, NY in 1959 along with their second daughter, Diane, and he started working at Pan Am Airlines as a mechanic, eventually becoming a flight engineer.  Ted’s career and travels around the world included meeting John Wayne and escorting the famous horse Secretariat.  In 1968, their third daughter, Marilyn, completed the family.  Ted’s knowledge of jet mechanics lead him to teach and consult for several companies and work for other commercial airlines such as Overseas National Airways (ONA) and Antillian Airlines (ALM).  Ted and family were active with AKC Doberman Pinscher Club of NY throughout the 1970’s.  They created Berghof Kennel, frequented dog shows, and bred and raised Dobermans including Champion Peri’s Prince Temujin.  They relocated over the years to Oklahoma City, OK, Pawling, NY, Walnutport, PA, and eventually made their home in Greenville, AL (Ted’s childhood summer home with his aunt, uncle, and cousins) where he acquired registered polled shorthorn cattle and became a ‘Gentleman Farmer’.  Ted retired in 1988 from Saudi Airlines in Riyadh, where he flew the Royal Family of King Fahd.  He was widowed in 2001 and enjoyed spending time with family and friends and was always on-board to tell a great story from his many adventures.  He loved his Auburn Tigers, War Eagle! And through it all, Ted did it his way.  Mr. Wallhofer is preceded in death by: father, Theodore John Wallhofer; mother, Cecilia Galler Wallhofer; sister, Carol Wallhofer; daughter, Theresa Allen; and grandchildren Ricky Joe Davis, Jr and Elena Roman.  He is survived by: brother, Otis Wallhofer (Nancy) of PA; sister, Alvina Serfass (Tom) of PA; daughter, Diane Davis (Rick) of Tuscaloosa, AL; daughter, Marilyn Mitchell (Paul) of Newnan, GA; son-in-law, Bill Allen of Greenville, AL; eight grandchildren, Ali, Rian, and Theo Roman; Ricky and Kristi Davis; and Brennan, Ryan, and Megan Mitchell; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  A private celebration of life and memorial for Ted will be held in Auburn, AL.   Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

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