Walter B. Trapp, Ph.D., 89, died Thursday, March 7, 2013, in Asheville, NC He was born in Peoria, IL, July 22, 1923, the son of Clarence H. and Julia Erler Trapp. He attended St. Bernard's Elementary School and E. Peoria High School. He attended Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL, where he met Nancy A. Tice, who was to become his wife in 1946. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1945. He worked summers, 1942-1945, as a laboratory technician at the Northern Regional Research Laboratory in Peoria, IL. Following a period of service in the Army Signal Corps, he studied Organic Chemistry/Chemical Engineering at the University of Colorado, receiving his Ph.D. degree in 1952.

Dr. Trapp worked for The Dow Chemical Co. in Midland for 34 years, and was a member of the American Chemical Society for 60 years.

He and his wife raised three children, Julie Ann, Carolee, and Marybeth. While living in Midland, the family belonged to the First United Methodist Church. During this time, Dr. Trapp served on the Salvation Army Board, the Midland City School Board and the West Midland Community Center Board.

After retiring in 1986, he and Nancy moved to Prescott, Ariz., where they lived for 16 years. In 2002, they moved to Asheville, NC to live in Givens Estates, a Methodist Retirement Community. Here he was active in various musical acitivities, including piano and choir.

Walter is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nancy A. Trapp; his brother, Ted J. (Jackie) Trapp of Surprise, Ariz.; his three daughters, Julie Gramblin, Carolee (Fred) Rolf, and Marybeth Eilerson; four grandsons, Chris (Lori) Rolf, Michael (Meg) Gramblin, Nick Eilerson and Travis Eilerson; and one great-grandchild, Mark Gramblin.