Walter Francis Seng

Walter Francis Seng (aka Walt, Wally) passed away peacefully on September 3, 2023, at the age of 80 in Phoenix, AZ. He was born June 28, 1943, in Braddock, PA to the late Walter and Rose (Vohsing) Seng. He is survived by his former spouse Lynn (Art Shostak) Seng and sons, Matthew (Mae-Fay Yeh Koenig) and Daniel Seng of CA; and former spouse Kim Seng and sons, Benjamin and John Seng of CA, and three grandchildren, Arya Koenig, Jon Seng and Sepideh Rose Afshar-Seng. 

Walt was the treasured brother of Fred, Bob, Bill (Carmel), and the late Jim Seng of PA; Marian (the late Donald) Lomis, Elaine and Janet Seng, and Arline (Lauren) Hetland of VA; Rick (Linda) Seng of AZ, Dr. Catherine "Kitty" Seng of IL, and Ann (Dale) Krystek of FL. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Walt attended  St. Aloysius Catholic Elementary School in Wilmerding, PA; graduated from Saint Joseph's Military Academy in Hays, KS; attended Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, completing two years in Graphic Design. He earned his bachelor’s degree in information technology and business management and his MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Walt served in the US Army Signal Corps Photography Division in France and Germany where photography became his passion. His ability to capture, through his lens, an everyday scene and make it remarkably fascinating launched his successful professional journey.

Walt worked 42 years as an advertising, editorial, portrait and corporate photographer. He owned Walt Seng Photography, and his photos graced the pages of magazines, books, and other genres. Notably, the Seng family’s alma mater, Turtle Creek High School, hired Walt as the school photographer and, for five years, he took many senior-class and yearbook photos. Walt regularly photographed bikers at the world-famous annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD. His "Biker Photos" taken there traveled worldwide as part of the Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary Exhibition. He photographed models for several pin-up calendars, one called “Take the Heat”, for the Pleasant Hills Volunteer Fire Company. The popular calendars, coined as “classy”, raised money for firefighting equipment.  Most notably, Walt was Mister Rogers' photographer for 15 years, capturing timeless portraits of him. The USPS selected his portrait of Mister Rogers with King Friday XIII for the 2018 Forever Stamp, attesting to Walt's artistry and legacy.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Walt, a man of many great talents, was known for his intelligence, optimism, and ability to deeply love people and life itself. He laughed well and often, especially at himself. His laughter was infectious, and he enjoyed sharing jokes, including those he was collaborating on with his life-long friend and fellow artist, Jim Stewart, for Walt's “Book of Jokes,” which Jim is completing as a memorial to Walt. He found joy in playing a competitive game of pool with his brother, Rick, and close friend, Bruce Schmitz. Walt’s greatest source of happiness was his family, and he took immense pride in his sons and grandchildren, finding joy in their achievements and celebrating their milestones.

Walt's legacy will live on through his remarkable photography, his love for his family, and the joy he brought to those around him. We miss him deeply and may his soul Rest in Peace.

In memory of Walt, contributions can be submitted to Meals on Wheels at  https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/.