Walter Kolb, age 89, died peacefully on October 14, 2025, following a prolonged illness.
He was born in New York City on March 18, 1936, to Hans and Lina Kolb. He was raised in the Bronx and received a geology scholarship at Oklahoma State University. In time, his interests turned toward urban planning, and he went on to complete a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Walter served in the Air Force reserve.
In 1959, Walter married Judith Kunsman, with whom he had two children, Heidi Kolb Carpentieri and Howard Walter Kolb. Following their divorce, he married Susan Lewis in 2002.
Walter and Susan were world travelers and shared the distinction of visiting all seven continents. While Europe was a frequent destination, their adventures also took them along the Yangtze River in China, to the vibrant city of Marrakesh in Morocco, and across Australia, where they visited Sydney and the iconic Uluru (Ayers Rock). They cruised the Panama Canal and traveled as far as Antarctica.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Howard. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughter, Heidi and his son-in-law Robert; his granddaughter Caroline and her husband Brian; and his great-grandson, Lucas, all of Tallahassee.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 25 at 10:00 at Culley’s Funeral Home located at 1737 Riggins Rd, Tallahassee.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local hospice.
Walter Kolb
Associate Professors Lee Fithian, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Pober have published a chapter in the recently released New Perspectives in Indoor Air Quality, published by Elsevier. Their contribution, titled “Chapter 16 – Architecture and the Challenges of Indoor Air Quality,” examines the relationship between architecture and indoor air quality.
Dr. Ladan Mozaffarian, Assistant Professor of Regional and City Planning, has been selected to serve as Co-Chair of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) Planners of Color Interest Group (POCIG) for the 2025–2027 term.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to recognize Tahsin Tabassum, a recent graduate of the college’s Master of Regional and City Planning program and current doctoral student at the University of California, Irvine, for receiving the prestigious 2024–2025 American Planning Association (APA) Outstanding Student Award.
