Walter Wittich was born on December 26, 1885 in Dayton, Ohio. His father, George Wittich, was a leader in the field of physical education.
After moving to St. Louis, the Wittich family settled in Milwaukee when George became supervisor of physical education for the public
schools. During his school-aged years Walter displayed a growing interest in public speaking and writing, even presenting a commencement
address to his graduating class. Wittich graduated from Milwaukee's East Division High School in 1904 and attended Milwaukee Normal
School for two years. In 1908, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin. Wittich also did graduate work at
Harvard, where he received his diploma in physical education in 1916, and studied at Columbia. He received his M.A. degree from the
University of Wisconsin in 1928.
In 1917, Wittich came to La Crosse State College as the assistant director of health, physical education, and recreation, and in 1918 he
became the head of the department. Wittich developed several programs while at La Crosse including the City of La Crosse outdoor sports
program, the community winter sports activity, the La Crosse Men's Sketch Club, and a local college program in teachers training.
He was on the editorial board of "The Physical Educator" and was the editor of the annual newsletter of the health, physical
education, and recreation department at La Crosse State College. Along with physical education, Wittich also encouraged colleagues and
students alike to participate in drawing and painting activities.
Wittich was active in the community and provided swimming and diving instruction on the Mississippi River and led first aid, disaster,
and other programs at the La Crosse Chapter of the American Red Cross. During World War II he developed a first aid wheel to be used in
the organization's classes which was eventually distributed nationally. Wittich died on August 8, 1953.
