Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Walter Francis II BALLINGER
DR. WALTER F. II born May 16, 1925 in Philadelphia was a brilliant surgeon who joined the faculty of Washington University's School of Medicine in St. Louis, in 1967 at the age of 42, as the Bixby Professor and head of the Department of Surgery. He was also the surgeon-in-chief at Barnes Hospital. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. He died of pneumonia Friday, April 29, 2011. He was 85 years old.
Dr. William Peck, director of the university's Center for Health Policy and a longtime friend of Dr. Ballinger, said, "He was a great surgeon, a world class surgeon. Walter came from Johns Hopkins to be head of a distinguished department, one of the most distinguished in the history of academic medicine. He was also a wonderful person -- brilliant, inquisitive and wise." In his retirement he continued to serve as medical professor in the Health Administration Program. His students became leaders in surgery at major hospitals across the country.
Dr. Timothy J. Eberlein who now holds the title of Bixby Professor said, "Walter was indeed a distinguished man." "He was a member and president of the Society of Clinical Surgery, an organization whose membership is limited to 45 members. You have to be elected before you are 45." He was co-editor-in-chief of the Journal Surgery. He was a member of the Halstead Society at Hopkins. He was a Markel Scholar. He was a member of over 25 medical societies. He wrote over 200 medical articles and eight textbooks dealing with various clinical aspects of general surgery. He was editor of the Journal of Surgical Research. He was honored by the Archives of Surgery as one of 24 surgeons of this generation who've made significant contributions in the areas of research, clinical care and surgical education. He served as an Army officer in the early 1950s and was the American physician at Spandau Prison in western Berlin, operated by the four powers following World War II.
Dr. Ballinger's influence extended beyond his work as a clinician and teacher as a leader in the civic life of the St. Louis community. As a member of the board of Forest Park Forever he initiated the St. Louis Kite Festival where 35,000 people participated. He was on the boards of the St Louis Zoo, Center for Plant Conservation at the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Mathews-Dickey Boys' and Girls' Club and the John M. Olin Library at Washington University and the Anglican Institute. He served as president of the St. Louis Kammergild, the Mercantile Library Association and was senior warden of the Episcopal Church of St. Michael and St. George.
Dr. Ballinger is survived by his wife, Mary Randolph Dickson Ballinger; by his three sons, Walter F. III of Nantucket, Mass.; Christopher B. of Palos Verdes, CA and David G. of San Francisco; three grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Robert I. Ballinger of Philadelphia and Palm Beach. His sister Mrs. Jean Ballinger Rauch. His nieces and nephews include Mrs. Paton Rauch White, Mrs. Frances (Lynn) Rauch Crouse, Mr. Thomas M. Rauch, Mrs. James (Wendy) Oram and Mr Robert I. Ballinger. Dr. Ballinger was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert I. Ballinger of Philadelphia. His grandfather and namesake, Mr. Walter F. Ballinger started the architecture/engineering firm, the Ballinger Company.
A Memorial Service was held on Friday, May 6, in St. Louis. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Dr. Walter F. Ballinger Surgical Academic Education Program at Washington University, Campus Box 1247, 7425 Forsyth Boulevard, Suite 2100, St. Louis, MO 63105.
| HOME | EMAIL | SURNAMES |
Return to The Pennocks of Primitive Hall website.
The information in this database may contain errors. If you find any questionable data, or if you have something to add my findings, please feel free to e-mail me by clicking on the "E-MAIL" link above. Thank you!
Page built by Gedpage Version 2.21 ©2009 on 07 July 2020