Rehoboth fixture Walter Brittingham dies at 82

He might not have been born in Rehoboth Beach, but few people are as synonymous with the city as Walter Brittingham, a longtime community fixture who died Jan. 27 at the age of 82.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1944, Brittingham was raised in Rehoboth Beach and graduated from Rehoboth High School in 1962. He attended college at Southern Technical Institute in Marietta, Ga., returning to Delaware to work in his family businesses. At one point, Brittingham farmed what is now known as Lavender Fields before entering the Army, serving in Germany. 

Upon discharge, he returned to Delaware and worked in several family businesses. He settled in Rehoboth and spent the rest of his life engaging in a variety of community services, whether the Lewes Lions Club, Kiwanis Club of Rehoboth or Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, where he served in many capacities, starting as third assistant engineer in 1970 and serving as captain, second assistant chief and, in 1991, president. 

One place where Brittingham could always be found was city hall, either on the dais, where he served as a commissioner, or, most notably, in the audience, where he was always willing to give his opinion on issues affecting the city. In 2016, as recognition for his community service, he was given the Community Citizen Award by Henlopen Grange No. 20.

Longtime friend Bernadette Hearn said, “I knew Walter way back when I worked for the City of Rehoboth, but after coming to the Cape Gazette almost 20 years ago, I realized how involved he was in so many communities. He just loved helping people, stepping up wherever there was a need, but he didn't worry about getting credit. And his depth of knowledge about people and places in this entire state was just amazing. His passing is a great loss.”

Cape Gazette Publisher Emeritus Dennis Forney said, “I was proud to be associated with Walter. What a good man and a friend to all at the Cape Gazette. The old guard is passing."

Leonard Tylecki worked with Brittingham at the latter’s companies, Mid-Atlantic Industrial and AVC, and at the fire department, and they remained friends throughout their lives. He said Brittingham would always show up for a friend. 

“No matter what time you called, he would always come get you. Whatever you needed, he’d come help you,” Tylecki said.

He said Brittingham always had the interests of the community at heart.

Mayor Stan Mills said, “Walter was the first neighbor to welcome my wife, Marcia, and me to the city 28 years ago, and we had an enduring friendship. Walter was the type of person to give you the shirt off his back, offering to assist with whatever you needed. He was also keen on monitoring city government, motivated perhaps from his time as an elected commissioner, maybe back in the early 1980s – before my time in the city. He was interested in government process and transparency. He also served longtime as a volunteer fireman. He had a lot of good qualities and will be missed.”

Former planning Commissioner Jan Konesey said, “How fortunate we were in Rehoboth Beach to have Walter Brittingham. Walter kept his eye on the city, not for his own benefit, but because Rehoboth was so important to him. Like many of us, he loved this town and wanted the best for it. He was never cruel or mean in his comments, just pointed out things that needed to come to light. I have no idea where or how Walter got his information, but I will say that in my experience over many, many years, he was almost always right! In addition to being a watchdog, Walter was also a very kind person, as some of us can personally testify to. He wasn’t noisy about it, but would quietly help his neighbors in unobtrusive but meaningful ways.”

Former Mayor Sam Cooper served with Brittingham as a commissioner and had plenty of usually good-natured battles when Brittingham would sit through commissioners’ meetings after Cooper became mayor.

“I’ll miss him,” Cooper said. “He was one of a kind. He could infuriate you and yet you love him at the same time.”

Cooper had known Brittingham since he joined the fire department in 1973, and the two used to ride the ambulance before the town had its own dedicated EMS staff. He recalled a person who was always sure of himself, who always tried to help and always seemed to be there.

“It’s a real loss. He was a constant in your life,” Cooper said.