Obituary of Walter Alfred Bahr

Hall of Fame Soccer Player and Coach

Walter Bahr passed away on Monday, June 18, 2018 in Boalsburg, Pa at 91 from complications resulting from a broken hip.  He was born on April 1st, 1927 in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, Pa. At the age of 10, he joined the Lighthouse Boys Club and here developed his love of athletics in general and his career in soccer, as both a player and coach.

Walt was a member of the 1948 US Olympic Team and the 1950 World Cup team known for its upset of the English National team.  He went on to play professionally for numerous teams in Philadelphia, New York, and Canada.  During that span, he played 19 times for the US National Team.   He was paid a great compliment during the Scottish national team tour of the U.S. in 1949, by former Scottish international Tommy Muirhead, who wrote in the Glasgow Daily Mail, "Bahr is good enough to play for any First Division team in the United Kingdom."  He was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976.

Walt Bahr married Davies Uhler in 1946.  Both received degrees from Temple University in Physical Education and the two taught, coached, and raised a daughter, Davies Ann and 3 sons, Matthew, Chris, and Casey.  Walt taught at Frankford High School for 25 years before moving to Penn State University in 1974 where he and his wife, Davies, taught, often together, before retiring from Penn State University in 1988.  His coaching resume includes Swarthmore College, Frankford High School in Philadelphia (17 years), and Penn State University.  He also coached the Philadelphia Spartans and Philadelphia Ukrainians.

Walt Bahr is survived by his wife of 71 years, 4 children, 8 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and several generations of soccer players who called him “Coach”.

A Visitation will be held at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St, State College, PA 16801, from 5-8PM on Thursday, June 28, 2018.  A Memorial Service will be held at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 208 W Foster Ave, State College, PA 16801, at 11:00am on Friday, June 29, 2018.

In lieu of flowers the family requests any memorial donations be made to the US Soccer Foundation, 1140 Connecticut Avenue NW, #1200, Washington, DC 20036, or  https://ussoccerfoundation.org/donate, in memory of Walter Bahr.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.