'He taught me how to give back to the community'

NORWALK — Pat Spettel, a Norwalk realtor for four decades, died unexpectedly Friday while on vacation in Florida. Spettel's son, Patrick Christopher, posted on Facebook: "My dad Pat Spettel passed away unexpectedly today. He is so loved and will be missed by so many. He was an amazing father, husband, and papa, but really just above all else he was an all around great guy. I love you dad!" Kendra Clark, who worked with Spettel, also posted a tribute on Facebook. "This was Pat's 40th year in real estate," Clark wrote. "I worked along side him for 7 years. He gave me the chance I desperately needed and he taught me everything I needed to know about buying and selling real estate, and how to make something out of nothing. He would call his method of training me 'baptism by fire.' He put his phone on speaker and would have me listen to every call to teach me how to orchestrate deals and develop relationships. She also said Spettel taught her how to give back to the community. "He taught me how to give back to the community and that selling real estate is truly a service to your neighbors and community as a whole," Clark continued. "We talked about what to do if this day ever happened, but buying and selling real estate will never be the same without him in my corner. I will never take for granted my time learning from him. Please keep the Spettel family in your thoughts and prayers. He was an anchor. Lord knows he's fishing because there isn't any real state to sell in heaven." John Rossman, a family friend, also posted a tribute about Spettel. "The Spettel family name is synonymous with the meaning of outstanding character and heart," Rossman said. "Pat and Claire Spettel were there for us when my son was in a hospital bed and through his rehabs. Pat sold many houses for my family and always, always, always was there to help." He said he had plans to meet up with Spettel while he was in Florida. "I just spoke to Pat last week as we promised to meet up for a beer next week in Naples," Rossman said. "We hadn't spoke for some time but picked up right where we left off. We laughed and talked about how hard it is to find a place to live here after the hurricane. I was so looking forward to seeing a familiar face. About a half hour after our call, I received a text from Pat. He had a realtor get in touch with me to find me a home. Vintage Pat. Always worried about others." Don Hohler spoke highly of Spettel. "He was a good guy," Hohler said. "He always told it like it was. I didn't know him much as a Realtor, but he certainly was held in a high esteem. He was a very fair man and very honest." Fellow realtor Jay Ewell said he was shocked to hear the news of Spettel's passing. "I've known pat for along time," Ewell said. "He was a good guy and a very hard worker. It was quite a shock when I heard (the news)." Another longtime Realtor, Norma Schaechterle, said she was also shocked to learn of Spettel's passing. She said she worked with Spettel when he first started in real estate. "I was at Mike Myers Realty when he came to work 40 years ago," she said. "I have done multiple, multiple transactions with Pat and I enjoyed working with him. He was a very hardworking agent. He was very personable." Norwalk Mayor Dave Light remembered Spettel as someone who cared about Norwalk. "Pat was a lifelong Norwalkian who truly cared about the city," Light said. "He was very approachable and always greeted me with a smile. I was shocked to hear of his passing. He will be greatly missed."