OBITUARY: Dr. Earl Edwin Walker
Dr. Earl Edwin Walker, loving husband of 57 years of Ruth (nee Whittenberg) Walker, passed away on Jan. 21, 2015, with Ruth by his side after an acute illness.
He was born to Carl and Thelma Walker in Princeton, Ind., on Jan. 18, 1934. At one point, his family lived in Harrisburg, where he attended school at the one-room school house in the Cain community. He graduated from high school in Catlin, where he earned recognition in both sports and academics. At Southern Illinois University, he pursued his undergraduate degree in pre-med before moving to Chicago where he achieved his medical degree from the University of Illinois. He met his wife, Ruth, in Chicago where she was attending nursing school and on Dec. 22, 1957, he and Ruth were married. His general surgery residency was completed at the University of Nebraska under his mentor, Dr. Musselman. After completion of his residency, he voluntarily joined the Army to serve as a medical officer at the 3rd Field Hospital in the Vietnam War. For his service as a trauma surgeon in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star by the United States Army for his dedicated patient care to wounded soldiers.
Dr. Walker moved to Southern Illinois to establish his surgical practice in 1968, providing general medical and surgical care to the community. He was privileged to work at both Harrisburg Medical Center as well as Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado. His love for the community was demonstrated by his determination to never leave the community unprotected for surgical care. When the tornado struck Marion in 1982, he immediately went to that community hospital to provide medical services to the injured.
He and his wife raised their four children in Harrisburg. With his strong belief in the importance of education and community service, he served on the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees (1982-1989, Chairman 1989) as well as the University of Illinois Board of Trustees (1970-1971). He was awarded a lifetime membership in the University of Illinois Foundation.
Dr. Walker felt the call to return to serve his country in 1987, this time in the United States Air Force as a Reservist with the 13th United States Air Force Contingency Hospital at Scott Air Force Base. In 1990, Dr. Walker committed to the United States Air Force and reported to Luke Air Force base in Arizona, graduating from the Air War College that same year. During Desert Storm, he was deployed overseas once again to the 832nd ATH, where he provided medical care for our troops. During his time in the USAF, he served not only as a surgeon providing direct patient care, but provided leadership in the management of healthcare services. He received Meritorious Service Medals for his leadership in the area of health care administration at Scott Air Force Base (1987-1990), 347th Medical Group, 347th Wing at Moody AFB (1992-1995) and 2nd Medical Group, 2nd Bomb Wing at the Barksdale AFB (1995-2001). He also served the 58th Medical Group at Luke Air Force Base (1990-1992). He completed his medical and armed services career in 2001 at the Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, La., as Colonel Earl E. Walker.
During his retirement, he enjoyed visiting with his children and his grandchildren. Most recently, he and Ruth were living in Sullivan, near the family of his daughter, Kris Tuttle. Dr. Walker was passionate about God, his country and his family. He was honored to serve the United States of America and his community with his skills in medicine and surgery as well as in leadership to improve access and quality of health care services wherever he practiced. He considered it an honor and a privilege to serve his patients.
Dr. Walker is survived by his devoted wife Ruth; his four children, Cathy (James) Van Hook of Cincinnati, Ohio, Patty Kelsch of Brunswick, Ga., David (Jennifer) Walker of Barrington and Kris (Brad) Tuttle of Sullivan; his beloved grandchildren, Will and Walker Van Hook, Cara, Amanda and Bethany Kelsch, Lindsey and Justin Walker and Brett, Brooke and Bria Tuttle; his sisters, Shirley Louise Oshel of Harrisburg and Patricia Ann McArdle of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Thelma Walker; and his brothers, James Walker, Donald Walker and Robert Walker.
Visitation is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg. Funeral services with military honors will be held at Reed Funeral Chapel at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association memorial in Dr. Walker's name, Disabled American Veterans or the Dr. Earl E. Walker Memorial Fund at Harrisburg Medical Center Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The family wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Aspen Creek in Sullivan for their loving and respectful care of Dr. Walker.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.reedfuneralchapel.com