Walter B. Stearns, a lifelong Little Silver resident and dedicated leader of both the town’s fire and police departments, passed away peacefully at home May 10, 2025. Known for his kind heart and warm spirit, Walter was a friend to all who knew him and leaves behind an enduring legacy of service and compassion.
Born in 1930 in Navesink to Milburn and Ruth Boyd Stearns, Walter graduated from Red Bank High School in 1949 and joined the Air Force, where he fought in the Korean War as a radio operator for a forward observation team, earning six medals for combat service. After returning home, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Kerr, in 1952. They settled in Little Silver with their children, Shari and Jeff. Following the loss of his beloved Dottie to cancer in 1974, Walter met the second love of his life, Mary, whom he married in 1981. Together, they enjoyed 33 adventure-filled years until her passing in 2014.
Walter’s commitment to his community was evident through both his professional and volunteer roles. He graduated from the N.J. State Policy Academy and joined the Little Silver Police Department as a patrolman in 1952, serving as deputy chief from 1978 until his retirement in 1982. He also was a proud member of the Little Silver Fire Department for more than 65 years, serving as chief in 1965. He continued as LSFD’s safety officer well into his 80s and was a member of the Little Silver First Aid Squad for more than 50 years. The scanner in his Little Silver home announced fire and police calls decades after his retirement, and he was quick to run out the door to direct traffic to help first responders.
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, he marked his 90th birthday with a parade of fire trucks, ambulances and police squad cars past his home, a celebration he greatly enjoyed.
Throughout the years, Walter generously gave his time to countless organizations – among them the Little Silver Board of Education and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Monmouth County, and as a coach for Little Silver Little League and assistant Scoutmaster for Little Silver Troop #3. He was a life member of the Red Bank Elks Lodge 233 and New Jersey State PBA. He was a charter member of the Monmouth County Juvenile Officers’ Association and also served on the International Juvenile Officers’ Association.
A passionate outdoorsman, Walter was a true legend among Jersey Shore surf fishermen. He enjoyed catching (and releasing!) fish along Atlantic Ocean beaches and the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers locally, with shad trips to Lambertville each spring. He reveled in fishing trips to Ken Lockwood Gorge, the Catskills, Montauk and Martha’s Vineyard, and was a longstanding member of Jersey Shore Trout Unlimited and a life member of the Sunrise Rod and Gun Club.
In Red Bank High School’s 1949 yearbook, Walter’s senior photo was captioned: “Whenever there’s fun, there’s Walt. His cheerful grin never seems to leave him.” Walter was indeed always the life of the party – whether donning a headband to take charge of the dance floor at a wedding, sharing a joyful annual dance in the middle of the street with a friend during Little Silver’s Memorial Day Parade or playing in softball games with the fire department. He organized his high school reunions for decades and was a familiar face in local fishing shops and restaurants, swapping stories and laughs with friends.
In his quieter moments, Walter loved feeding deer, birds and many of God’s creatures in his backyard.
Walter was predeceased by his parents, first wife Dorothy and second wife Mary. He is survived by his daughter Shari (Bob) Major, son Jeff Stearns, grandchildren Scott (Beth), Alison, Courtney (Steele), David and Maddie, as well as great-grandchildren Skylar, Ryder and Mark. Walter is also survived by Mary’s children Roy (Susan) Soden and Joan (Andy) DeSarno and their children and grandchildren, in addition to countless friends.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank, from 4-8 p.m. Friday, May 23. A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 24. Services will be followed by a procession through Little Silver and internment at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Walter’s honor to the Little Silver Fire Department.
The article originally appeared in the May 22 – 28, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
