Walter passed away peacefully in his rooftop garden at age 77, surrounded by nature and the view of the city he loved. Proud father of Jennifer (Mark), and adoring grandfather to Benjamin, Andrea, and James. Brother to Henry and uncle to Aaron and his children Cylus and Bronson. Friend, mentor, co-creator, and “materializer” to the many people he touched throughout his life.

Walter was born near Curitiba Brazil in a small Mennonite community and moved to Kitchener Ontario at age 7 with his parents Reinholt and Katherine and his brother. While studying Mechanical Engineering Technology at Ryerson he met his future wife Lorna. After graduation they moved to Europe living the life of artisan hippies for 5 formative years before returning to Toronto in 1977 after Jennifer was born. While in Europe he fine tuned his creative skills working with leather which he turned into his first business in Toronto, Asylum Leather on Queen St East.

In 1988 he started Walter Klassen FX and ventured into the film and television industry. His original focus was animatronics, but his passion for invention took him and the Klassen team into all areas of props making. He also connected with the Steadicam community which led to the creation of the back mount Steadicam vest. The “studio” became his chosen family and a space for so many people to nurture their creative sides. He built a place where people learned to conquer what feels impossible and grow from every experience. Walter’s passion and drive is the heart of Walter Klassen FX and the team that carries on that legacy.

After he retired he took on his final and most poignant project through Materializer Inc., to make a film project about his life and his visions called The Colourblind Hippie. This project allowed him to connect and work with many of the friends he’d met through the industry and encapsulate a piece of himself and his essence in a film. Working on this film brought him joy, fulfillment and a sense of peace to reflect on a most incredible life well lived.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Indigenous Arts Collective or an Indigenous run charity of your choice.
https://indigenousartscollective.org/donate/

Family and friends are invited to share the memory of Walter at Turner & Porter "Yorke" Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto. Visitation will begin from 10:00-11:00 a.m., on Thursday June 5th. Followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m.

A livestream will be made available, please check back here for login details that morning.

Later in June a celebration party will be held at Walter Klassen FX. More details to come.