Walter A. Rund, Jr., the founder of Long Island-based Rund Contracting, a waste disposal business, died of natural causes November 17, 2005. The Lindenhurst resident was 67 years old.

Born in the Highbridge section of the Bronx to Walter A. and Catherine, he graduated Babylon High School in 1957. According to his family, he was extremely well-liked and had a knack for making people relax and laugh.

In 1963, he moved to Lindenhurst and began his long work career as a stock car racer at Freeport Stadium. He then worked as a stone mason on Greenacres Mall and many landmark buildings in Manhattan. He was the former owner of Walton Tire Company in Lindenhurst, the Director of Engineering at H. Kohmstamm, a chemical dye company in Brooklyn and a Metropolitan Life Insurance representative until his 1993 retirement.

In his spare time, Mr. Rund volunteered for many agencies such as: the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Lindenhurst Beautification Committee, Moose Lodge, NRA, International Legislative Action, Regan Presidential Council, Smithsonian Institute, Museum of National History, Fellow Craft Club (President), Lindenhurst Square Club, Rockville Centre Consistory (32nd degree), Kismet Shriners, V.P. of Clown Unit of Lindenhurst Republican Club, Masonic Lodge Amityville Chapter, PTA, NYS Veterans Police Association, ASA Travason, In The Wind Motorcycle Club and a driver for the American Cancer Society, among others.

Mr. Rund leaves behind his wife, Patricia Verdi; his children: Denise Menoscal and her husband Ralph, Robert J. and his wife Monica, Caroline O’Loughlin and her husband Patrick and Desiree Tobin and her husband Kevin; his grandchildren: Thomas, Desiree, Nicholas, Brittany, Alexis, Andrew, Zoe and Tyler; his siblings: Thomas and his wife Lucille and Jackie; his beloved stepchildren: Michael Nyhan and his wife Melissa and Danielle and her husband John as well as many nephews and nieces. His sister Joyce and father Walter predeceased him.

Mr. Rund reposed at the Lindenhurst Funeral Home, 424 S. Wellwood avenue in Lindenhurst on November 19, 2005. A funeral service was held a t Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Lindenhurst, on October 21, 2005.

Donations in Walter memory can be sent to: the American Cancer Society Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.