FORT MYERS, Fla. — John C. Walter MD, who practiced as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist in Cleveland, Ohio and later retired to Florida, died Oct. 13, 2009. He was 74 years old.
Dr. Walter was born and raised in Conneaut, Ohio, the second child of Howard and Alice Walter. John had an older sister, Pearl Anne and a younger brother, Howard Thomas (Tommie).
John starred as a pitcher in the Conneaut American Legion baseball league. He graduated from Conneaut High School in 1952. He went on to graduate with a B.S. in Chemistry from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1956. He continued on to St. Louis Medical School in St. Louis, Mo., where he married Audrey Wallis, a Registered Nurse, also from Conneaut.
In 1959, while in St. Louis, Dr. and Mrs. Walter had their first child, a daughter, Susan Elizabeth. After graduating Medical School, Dr. Walter served an internship in Youngstown, Ohio. There, the Walters had their second child, Charles William in 1960. Upon completing his internship, the Walter family moved to Pontiac, Mich. where Dr. Walter completed his residency. Dr. Walter and his family moved to Cleveland Heights, Ohio to start his practice. When they pulled up to the curb on Rydalmount Road, their new neighbors, the Korbels (Stan, Joan and their three boys David, Tim and Lee) were waiting outside for their arrival. They became lifelong friends.
Dr. Walter opened an office in Euclid, Ohio and was affiliated with St. Ann's Hospital and Euclid General Hospital. In 1972, The Walter family moved to a rambling 5-bedroom colonial on Highland Road, in Richmond Heights, Ohio. The third Walter child, John Clement, arrived in 1973.
At the age of 55, Dr. Walter retired from medicine. John and Audrey moved to a home on Neff Road in Cleveland, Ohio during the summer months and on Davis Blvd. Fort Myers, Fla. during the wintertime. They continued to enjoy Indians baseball and another lifelong pleasure, Dixieland Jazz.
Dr. Walter was diagnosed with throat cancer in Jan. of 2009 and passed away peacefully at hospice accompanied by family and friends on Oct. 13, 2009.
Dr. Walter is survived by his wife of 51 years, Audrey (Wallis); children, Susan Nelson, Charles (wife Dawn) and John; and grandchildren, Alanna, Meredith, Adam, Alice and Claire.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Hope Hospice, 2430 Diplomat Parkway East, Fort Myers, Fla. 33909. (239)-652-1205.
Obituary and condolences at starbeacon.com.
