R.C. Walter & Sons: 72 years, three generations

1944 – Ralph Charles Walter Sr. and Bill Copeland began a side business installing venetian blinds which later led to the installation of aluminum windows.

1946 – Side jobs became a formal business on March 14, 1946, under the name of C&W Home Modernizing. At that time, roof repair began out of a garage, which led to roof replacement and the replacement of downspouts and gutters. A pick-up truck was bought for the company, with its name printed on the side.

1949 – The business began installing Inslebric siding.

1950 – A warehouse was rented in Greenock.

1951 – On Jan. 29, Ralph Charles Walter Sr. bought out Bill Copeland and the company’s name became R.C. Walter Roofing & Siding.

1952 – The warehouse floor began to cave in. A home and lot was purchased Dec. 2, 1952, in Boston, where the current store sits today.

1954 – In the spring of 1954, the home on the lot burned down and plans were drawn for a new building that would be about 40x45 feet. The company now had three trucks, two of the business names were Bob Walter’s Home Modernizing.

1956 – Income was needed during the off-season for the siding work and to open a retail location. At first, it was a combination second-hand store with items from the former Montgomery Ward store and “recycled” lumber for shelves, and plumbing supplies was eventually added.

1958 – On Oct. 31, 1958 a warehouse was opened and the siding work became R.C. Walter Roofing & Siding and R.C. Walter Home Modernizing.

1962 – Bud Bain was in charge of adding the first addition, which is still in use as the “back room” at the current business.

1963 – Another back room (the current pipe room) was added as the business continued to expand.

1966 – The parking lot was paved for the first time and the company joined the American Hardware team. The name was officially changed to R.C. Walter & Sons Inc.

1971 – Revolving lights were installed on the corners of the building in 1971 and a neon sign was placed on top.

1972 – The store made a large addition as Ken Murtha laid the tile floor, Bill and Bob Howell completed the wiring and Ron Seibel framed the walls and worked on the trim, stairway and steps.

1976 – The store was officially opened with one of the first displays of tiered gondolas. Air conditioning was also added to the shop.

1978 – American Hardware became ServiStar.

1993 – The roofing business was sold to Brian Merten. Oldest son Robert “Bob” Walter retired, but only for a brief time before officially retiring two years later in 1995.

1997 – ServiStar merged with True Value to become TrueServe. The name TrueServe was changed a few years later back to True Value.

2007 – Ralph Charles Walter Jr., the youngest of the Walter sons, re­tired.

2009 – Following the death of Ralph Charles Walter Jr. in 2008, grandson Tom Walter bought the store and took over full-time.

2023 – With more than 55 years working in the family business, Tom Walter retired and decided to sell the store to long-time employee Paul Christeson, and his wife, Jamie. The new family will assume the same role.