Obituary of Walter W. Baggesen, Jr.

Walter W. Baggesen, Jr.

November 7, 1935 – September 9, 2023

Originally from Chicago, Walter lived most of his life in Miami. After graduating from Miami Edison Sr. High School, he achieved a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Florida, and then went on to serve his beloved country in the Army, achieving Captain’s rank.

Walter spent many years working in Miami as an architect, first with Pancoast, then Deltona Corp., then moving on to successfully establish their firm, Architects Baggesen, with his brother and father, and finishing up at the Dade County School Board.

His crowning achievement was the new building for First United Methodist Church of Miami (of which he was a member for 75 years) that he designed alongside his father (Walter Sr) and his brother (Don) in 1980. This stood on Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami, across from the Port of Miami (then later, Bayside Marketplace) for many years.

Wherever Walter went, he was a witness to God’s Word. He left in his life’s wake countless people who can testify to his humility, his integrity, and his love for Christ. He exemplified our heavenly Father’s love: from starting the Breakfast Club at FUMC (a ministry for the homeless), to Friday night Bible studies that he and Wilma hosted at their home, to holding just about every position he could at the church over the course of his life. Walter loved Jesus and his fellow man for all his earthly days and certainly continues to do so into eternity.

Walter is survived by his wife, Wilma Allen Baggesen, his three children, Pamela Devarona, Walter W. Baggesen III, and Susan Baggesen, his five grandchildren, Robert Jr, Matthew, Emily, Allyn, and Walter W. IV, and by his brother, Donald.

Services will be held at Poinciana United Methodist Church, located at 300 N Royal Poinciana Blvd. in Miami Springs, FL on October 6th, 2023, at 10:00am. A brief reception will follow, from 11:00am-12:00pm, in the church’s Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Miami Rescue Mission, at www.miamirescuemission.com.