in memoriam

Walter J. Jatoft

1915 - 2010

On January 9th the Battle Creek Symphony lost one of its most talented, loyal, and picturesque musicians.

     Walter Jatoft first joined the orchestra in 1947, after he recovered at Percy Jones Hospital here in Battle Creek from World War II wounds. He had happened to mention to some of the hospital staff that he played the violin, and the nurses and "gray ladies" quickly found an instrument for him to play while recovering and helping out at the hospital. They soon realized that this young man's talents were wasted moving beds around the wards and took it upon themselves to persuade the brigadier general to transfer him to "special services."

      It was those "special services" which first introduced Walter's talents to the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo communities, and he was soon in demand in area churches, schools, and orchestras.

      Walter fully intended to go back to New York City, but he found such a positive niche here in Battle Creek that he never left. For the next 59 years, he played steadily with the Battle Creek Symphony and, at various times, with the Kalamazoo, Lansing, and even Central Michigan University Symphonies. Between times he had a very successful career as a CPA and tax accountant.

      Walter served as concertmaster for our symphony here in Battle Creek for several years and then assistant concertmaster for many more. But wherever he sat, he was a star, not only for his outstanding playing but for his appearance.

      A handsome, downright debonair figure, Walter always looked his best. Some orchestra members come to rehearsals at the last minute, in tee shirts, sweat pants, mismatched socks and tennis shoes, but never Walter. He always arrived at least a half hour early, and he always looked professional.

      Besides his tuxedos for orchestral playing, Walter also loved the various gypsy and Russian clothes he wore when he performed with Battle Creek accordionist Roberta Palmer for weddings, bar mitzvahs, banquets, receptions, and the like. In fact, I was fortunate enough to have Walter and Roberta, in full gypsy attire, play for the banquet for my retirement from Olivet College, back in 1998.

      Particularly memorable for us at the symphony were Walter's sideline musical talents. When we played  Ottorino Respighi's Pines of Rome, for example, it was Walter who whistled the needed bird calls from offstage. And when we played Leroy Anderson's pops tune, "The Typewriter" in the beautiful upstairs banquet hall of his old hospital, now the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center, Walter dressed as a sexy female secretary in high heels and typed with a flair.

      We also remember the wonderful parties Walter and his wife Barb often held after
concerts for orchestra members and their spouses. Barb was a superb chef, and Walter, a superb bartender.

      Thank you, Walter dear, for all of the ways you shared your incredible talents with our community. In fact, I can just picture you up in Heaven, playing your violin along with the angels on their harps. As always, you are impeccably dressed; you've got your Amati violin in hand, and heavenly music is richer by far.

Linda Jo Scott