Theodore (Ted) W. Walski of Langdon, New Hampshire passed away at age 79 on December 2, 2023. Ted had prolonged and recent health issues. He is survived by his sister, Beverly Korenkiewicz, and nephews, Walter and Mark Korenkiewicz. Ted also leaves behind many friends who cared deeply about him.
Ted's passing represents the loss of an iconic wildlife biologist, a dedicated state employee and a dear friend to all who knew him. Ted worked for the NH Fish & Game Department for over 47 years, retiring at age 76, which serves as a testament to his dedication to the wildlife resources, constituents, and citizenry of the state. Ted loved his work, his peers, and the sportsmen and women of the state. He cared about the community, wildlife habitat and the animals that occupied it. Ted was almost certainly one of the longest serving state wildlife biologist in New England.
Ted grew up in Connecticut and earned his B.S. in Wildlife from the University of Connecticut. He was in the Army until 1969. During the early1970s, Ted enrolled in a graduate program at the University of New Hampshire and earned his M.S. in Wildlife in 1973. He was hired by the NH Fish & Game Department in May 1972. In April 1973, Ted became the Wild Turkey Biologist, where his achievements are most recognized and he fulfilled that role until he retired in November 2019. Ted successfully reintroduced turkeys into New Hampshire in 1975 and accelerated the distribution and range expansion of turkeys within the state through trap and translocation until 1995. The first turkey hunting season was held in 1980. The reintroduction of wild turkeys into the state is not only one of Ted's greatest achievements, it represents one of the greatest wildlife success stories in the history of our state. Ted's accomplishments were recognized by the Department and the Commission in 2016, when he was awarded the Ellis R. Hatch, Jr. Commission Award of Excellence.
A Memorial Service for Ted Walski will be held at the Marlow Congregational Church on January 6, 2024 @ 10 a.m. ln lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The NH Nature Conservancy, Rachel Roillard, State Director, 22 Bridge St., 4th Floor, Concord, NH 03301 or contact
rachel.rouillard@tnc.org
.
The Baker-Gagne Funeral Homes of Wolfeboro and West Ossipee are assisting the family with the arrangements.
To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolences or for more information go to:
www.baker-gagnefuneralhomes.com