Children:
Robley Donald Walter
Francis E. Walter
Sibling(s):
Laurenti Walter
Cordelia Walter
William Walter
Cora Walter
Mitchell Walter
Nettie Walter
Jacob B. Walter |
Notes:
Dr. R.D. Walter, Worn Out By His Devotion To Patients, Dies
Noted Physician Victim of Heart Attack; Refused More Offices Than Any other Man in County.
Dr. Robley Dunglison Walter, on of Easton's best know physicians and former Controller of Northampton county, died at 6:30 o'clock this morning at his home, 738 Ferry street of heart trouble, in the 71 st year of his age.
The announcement of his death came as a great shock to his many firends in this vicinity for he was attending patients as late as yesterday afternoon shortly after 3 o'clock on his return from Rosscommon Manor, Monroe County, where he had dined, He was then in apparently good health and chatted pleasantly with all he met on his visists.
During the evening he complained of great fatique and went to Dr. Betts' Hsoptial, where he obtained some medicine from Miss Sillon, the head nurse. At 11:30, when his conditon failed to improve, Dr. T.C. Zulick, Sr., was called and Dr. Zulick, realized the serious nature of Dr. Wlater's illness, called Dr. J. Edgar Fretz in consultation. A trained nurse was also engaged and this morning at 6:30, Dr. Walter spoke briefly to the nurse and then turned over on his side and expired.
Dr. Walter was the eldest son of Dr. Barnet C. and Camilla Brunner Walter, and was born at Dayland, Bethlehem township, this county, on June 15, 1859. After attending the public schools of the township, he prepared for college at Trach's Academy in Easton. He pursued a classical course at Lafayettee and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor or Arts in 1882. In 1885 he recieved his Master of Arts degree from Lafayette.
On graduating from Lafayette, he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, his father's alma mater, and was graduated in 1885. He then pursued a special course in pulmonary and throat disorders under Professor Cohen, of Jeffereson Post-graduate College, after which he joined his father in practice at Drayland, continuing there until 1888, when he opened an office at 902 Ferry Street, this city, which office he retained ever since. Forty-one years pratice, years of professional success, which placed him among the leading physicians of the city and county.
When the Easton Hospital was opened in 1890. Dr. Walter was of great assistance in its organization and headed the medical staff. Lat Dr. Charles Collmar was made chief sureon and Dr. Walter was appointed as obstetrician, which position he held until the reorganization of the hospital January 1, 1924, when he resigned. His ability as an obstetrician was recognized far and wide and he was frequently called in sonsultation by other physicians.
Dr. Walter was a member of the former Easton Medical Society, the Northampton Cou ty Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medicval Society and teh American Medical Association. He served for a number of years as physician oat the Northampton county prison.
In politics Dr. Walter was a Democrat and he was elected as County Controller in 1917 for four years and served two terms. That was the only public office he ever held but it was said of him, and with truth, that he refused more offices than any other man in Northampton county. Frequently in the yeras gone by party leaders, wehn about to make up their tickers, would look to him to lead them to victory, but to no avail. His invariable excvuse was that his duty to his patients came first and he couln't spare the time. On different occasions he was offered the nomination for Congress and State Senator, member of the Grenal Assembly, Mayor of Easton, treasurer of Easton, in fact, he could have hand the nomination for any office that was to be filled, for the leaders of his pary full well knew that his nominatin menat his election and that in turn meant the success fo the entire ticket,. But while he could not five tim e to public office he never deserted his friends in poitics. He was as loyal to them during the campaign as he was devoted to his patients during illness.
Dr. Walter was a member of St. Paul's Luterhan Church, North Foruth Street; Easton Lodge, No. 121, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Jacksonian Democratic Association and Chapter Nu, Delta Tan Delta fraternity, Lafayette College.
Dr.. Walter married on June 20, 1888, Miss Susie Hess, daughter of Francis and Mary Ritter Hess, of Terre Haute, Ind. He is survied by his wife and two sons, Donald , of Chula Vista, California, and Francis Eugene Walter, an Easton attorney and present county solicitor. He also leaves the follwoing brothers and siters: Dr. William Walter, Dr. Mitchell Watler, Jacob Walter and Mrs. Laura Knecht, wife of Howard Knects, all of Bethlehem: Miss Cora Walter, of Farmersville.
Dr. Walter was most faithful in his attention to patients entructed to his care and his constant thought was the welfare of tohers. So greatly enfros=sed was he in his work that he seldom enjoyed a hoiday and his health suffered in condquence. Two years ago he ad a serious illness and since that time had complained of heart weakness. In additon to his skill as a physician, he had a most pleasing personailty and his very presence in a sick room always cheered his patients. His death is a great loss to the community which which he served so well. |
