Dr. Patrick Edward Walsh's Obituary
Dr. Patrick Edward Walsh, age 73, passed away on May 5, 2016, following a nearly five-year struggle with ill health. Formerly of Spring Lake, MI and Fort Myers, FL, he died at his new home in Rockford, MI, encircled by his loving family. He was born on April 12, 1943 in Bay City, MI to Donald and Marguerite (Rayhill) Walsh. On June 26, 1965 he married Judith Kathleen Schillinger, and they celebrated 50 years of marriage last summer. That same year he graduated from Wayne State University, and went on to earn his medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri in 1969.
Pat was utterly devoted to his career in medicine, and in his 41 years as a doctor, he touched the lives of countless patients, medical students, and colleagues. During his entire tenure as a physician, from 1969-2010, he practiced at Muskegon General Hospital (MGH), which later became Mercy Health Partners. Pat began his career in Family Practice, and served as Chair of the Department of Family Practice at MGH several times during his early years there. The bulk of his career, however, was spent passionately practicing Emergency Medicine at MGH, from 1970-1998. He was Board Certified in Emergency Medicine for 27 years, was a Charter Member and Fellow of the American College of Emergency Medicine for 20 years, and also served as Chair of the Emergency Medicine Department at MGH numerous times.
In addition to being an “ER Doc,” Pat also served as Director of Medical Education at MGH from 1981-2003, and as Director of Continuing Medical Education from 1981-2010. He was a Member of MGH’s Executive Committee for 18 consecutive years, and twice was named Chair. Pat was honored to serve as Chief of Staff at Muskegon General Hospital in 1981. That same year, he co-founded Muskegon’s first urgent care center, the Norton Shores Medi-Center. In 1991, he became co-owner of the Holland Medi-Center and Occupational Medicine Clinic. Outside of clinical practice, Pat was a Member of the Western Michigan Osteopathic Association (and its President in 1975), a Member of the American Osteopathic Association, and a Board Member of the West Michigan Osteopathic Foundation. Pat finally--and somewhat reluctantly--retired in 2010.
When he wasn’t delivering care in the Emergency Room, Pat could often be found playing his beloved game of golf at Spring Lake Country Club, where he and his wife Judy had belonged since 1976. They also became members of Gateway Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida in 1998, when they began spending winters in that warmer climate. Pat’s interest in sports extended well beyond golf, and he was an avid fan of many Michigan-based sports teams. Outside of the sports arena, he was a voracious reader and a lifelong learner with an insatiable appetite for literature and knowledge. Though never musically trained, he came from a musical family and owned a vast and varied musical collection. He appreciated fine wine and great scotch. Pat also enjoyed tending to the yard of his “little house in the big woods” of Spring Lake, and his thumb was green enough to somehow manage to coax lovely flower beds and landscaping into full bloom despite being situated in the midst of a densely wooded lot. Pat was highly self-disciplined and possessed a real zest for life; “Carpe Diem” (“Seize the Day”) was one of his favorite sayings. Though he could be hard-driving and serious, he also liked to have fun and had huge soft spots in his heart for his many dear friends.
Pat especially cherished and took great pride in his family. He is survived by his wife, Judy Walsh, and three children: Dr. Lisa K. Walsh (James Anderson) of Rockford; Linsey Ryu Walsh of Denver, CO; and Ryan Patrick Walsh (Lauri) of Grand Rapids. Pat treasured his granddaughter, Maya Min Walsh Anderson. He also leaves behind a sister, Mary Marguerite (“Mimi”) LaPorte (Tom) of Bay City, and two sisters-in-law: Virginia Watson (Allyn) of Madison, WI and Mary Hunter (Dr. Alan) of Marquette, MI. Additionally, he is survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Pat was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law.
According to Pat’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held from 1-4 PM on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Grand Haven. The family will gather privately for a memorial service and celebration of Pat’s life at a later time. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution in honor of Pat are encouraged to consider either the Western Michigan Osteopathic Foundation or Hospice of Michigan. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
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