The community mourns the death of journalist Walter Wasacz

By Charles Sercombe
Journalist, writer, musicologist, urbanist, planetary visionary.
These words fail to encapsulate the full life and musings of Walter Wasacz, a Hamtramckan and world traveler.
Mr. Wasacz, 71, died in Cleveland on Saturday, Oct. 3, of a possible heart attack.
Back here in Hamtramck, he was well-known as a journalist for the former Citizen newspaper and, later, The Review. He had a long history of writing for various publications, such as Trouser Press in England, The Metro Times, and the online publication Model D.
He was also well known in the underground techno world, writing extensively on techno music and its impact on culture.
In The Review, he wrote a regular column called City Life, about making urban centers more walkable, incorporating how other communities and cities in the world addressed this issue.
His mother, Helen Wasacz, who died 14 years ago, was an independent hair salon owner and was active in a number of social clubs.
Walter Wasacz touched the lives of many — an almost uncountable number of people that spans oceans and continents. But in all his journeys, Hamtramck was never far from him, nor he from it.
In one of the columns he wrote for The Review, he said this about the indelible pull of having lived here.
“All roads lead to and from Hamtramck. You can get here from anywhere. Once this place becomes part of your experience, it seems to linger, in one form or other, forever.”
A memorial for Mr. Wasacz will be announced at a later date.
News of his death spread quickly here in Hamtramck, nationally, and internationally, and the reaction from many could be summed up in one word: Shocked.
Here is a sampling of what his friends, co-workers and acquaintances had to say about him on social media:
Michael Jackman, journalist: “He was a real neighborhood guy in Hamtramck and I enjoyed running into him. That may sound like faint praise, but I have always aspired to be that neighborhood guy myself, and I really respected that in Walter.
“Once I did an intentional interview with him about the Polish-American experience, and he was very gracious and gave me more than an hour of his time. I will miss him.”
Liz Warner, DJ: “This news makes me incredibly sad. Walter was a rare gem, and the curiosity with which he approached all things — be it art, film, music, and life — was a rare gift. I’m heartbroken, yet grateful to have known him. …”

Linda Stachowicz, Hamtramck Public School Boardmember: “We lived at the opposite ends of Edwin growing up. Very, very sad. Have missed him so much.”

Brian Boyle, publisher: “Detroit has lost a wonderful soul. Walter was an important voice for Detroit culture, both locally and around the world. He was a better person. Kind, curious, patient, open-minded, human. He will be missed.”

Tom Niczay, retired Hamtramck Public School Superintendent and longtime friend: “As an avid basketball aficionado, Walter would text me before, during and after games about Wolverines and Pistons basketball.
“He would text about what high school/college the players went to. Also name the stat, points, rebounds, whatever, Walter would text it. He knew more about those teams past and present than anyone, hands down. I’m going to miss that guy.”
Art Lyzak, former co-owner of Lili’s 21 Club and longtime friend: “I loved Walter from the first day I met him 50 years ago. He had a gentle soul and an exquisitely snarky wit. RIP, brother.”

Stella Szczesny, family friend: “He was a great soul, an excellent writer and all-around wonderful person. May he rest in peace.”

Detroit-Berlin Connection: “It is with great sorrow that we share the loss of Walter Wasacz, a founding board member and past vice president of the Detroit-Berlin Connection.

“Walter was a deep thinker, a gifted writer, and a passionate advocate for Detroit artists. He believed in the power of international exchange to connect people, nurture creativity, and open doors for our community.

“Detroit has lost another gem. Walter will be deeply missed, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.”
Carleton Gholz, founder of Detroit Sound Conservancy: “Walter encouraged me to take poetic leaps, in writing, in photography, in design, in my own life, while offering me practical wisdom and humor.
“By watching and listening to him, playing records and hanging out, driving around and writing, Walt taught me that I didn’t need to be ashamed for my love of art and the dreaming it inspired and that, most importantly, I could take Detroit and Hamtramck wherever I went because they were states of mind as much as they were steel and concrete.”
Posted Oct. 9, 2026

By Charles Sercombe
Journalist, writer, musicologist, urbanist, planetary visionary.
These words fail to encapsulate the full life and musings of Walter Wasacz, a Hamtramckan and world traveler.
Mr. Wasacz, 71, died in Cleveland on Saturday, Oct. 3, of a possible heart attack.
Back here in Hamtramck, he was well-known as a journalist for the former Citizen newspaper and, later, The Review. He had a long history of writing for various publications, such as Trouser Press in England, The Metro Times, and the online publication Model D.
He was also well known in the underground techno world, writing extensively on techno music and its impact on culture.
In The Review, he wrote a regular column called City Life, about making urban centers more walkable, incorporating how other communities and cities in the world addressed this issue.
His mother, Helen Wasacz, who died 14 years ago, was an independent hair salon owner and was active in a number of social clubs.
Walter Wasacz touched the lives of many — an almost uncountable number of people that spans oceans and continents. But in all his journeys, Hamtramck was never far from him, nor he from it.
In one of the columns he wrote for The Review, he said this about the indelible pull of having lived here.
“All roads lead to and from Hamtramck. You can get here from anywhere. Once this place becomes part of your experience, it seems to linger, in one form or other, forever.”
A memorial for Mr. Wasacz will be announced at a later date.
News of his death spread quickly here in Hamtramck, nationally, and internationally, and the reaction from many could be summed up in one word: Shocked.
Here is a sampling of what his friends, co-workers and acquaintances had to say about him on social media:
Michael Jackman, journalist: “He was a real neighborhood guy in Hamtramck and I enjoyed running into him. That may sound like faint praise, but I have always aspired to be that neighborhood guy myself, and I really respected that in Walter.
“Once I did an intentional interview with him about the Polish-American experience, and he was very gracious and gave me more than an hour of his time. I will miss him.”
Liz Warner, DJ: “This news makes me incredibly sad. Walter was a rare gem, and the curiosity with which he approached all things — be it art, film, music, and life — was a rare gift. I’m heartbroken, yet grateful to have known him. …”

Linda Stachowicz, Hamtramck Public School Boardmember: “We lived at the opposite ends of Edwin growing up. Very, very sad. Have missed him so much.”

Brian Boyle, publisher: “Detroit has lost a wonderful soul. Walter was an important voice for Detroit culture, both locally and around the world. He was a better person. Kind, curious, patient, open-minded, human. He will be missed.”

Tom Niczay, retired Hamtramck Public School Superintendent and longtime friend: “As an avid basketball aficionado, Walter would text me before, during and after games about Wolverines and Pistons basketball.
“He would text about what high school/college the players went to. Also name the stat, points, rebounds, whatever, Walter would text it. He knew more about those teams past and present than anyone, hands down. I’m going to miss that guy.”
Art Lyzak, former co-owner of Lili’s 21 Club and longtime friend: “I loved Walter from the first day I met him 50 years ago. He had a gentle soul and an exquisitely snarky wit. RIP, brother.”

Stella Szczesny, family friend: “He was a great soul, an excellent writer and all-around wonderful person. May he rest in peace.”

Detroit-Berlin Connection: “It is with great sorrow that we share the loss of Walter Wasacz, a founding board member and past vice president of the Detroit-Berlin Connection.

“Walter was a deep thinker, a gifted writer, and a passionate advocate for Detroit artists. He believed in the power of international exchange to connect people, nurture creativity, and open doors for our community.

“Detroit has lost another gem. Walter will be deeply missed, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.”
Carleton Gholz, founder of Detroit Sound Conservancy: “Walter encouraged me to take poetic leaps, in writing, in photography, in design, in my own life, while offering me practical wisdom and humor.
“By watching and listening to him, playing records and hanging out, driving around and writing, Walt taught me that I didn’t need to be ashamed for my love of art and the dreaming it inspired and that, most importantly, I could take Detroit and Hamtramck wherever I went because they were states of mind as much as they were steel and concrete.”
Posted Oct. 9, 2026