Dr. Harry M. Walsh, M.D.

Author, Conservationist and founder of the nationally acclaimed WATERFOWL FESTIVAL, Easton, MD. Harry M. Walsh, M.D. died at the Talbot Hospice House on Saturday, June 27, 2009 after a long hard fought battle with cancer. He was 85 years old. Dr. Walsh is a native of The Eastern Shore of Maryland. He grew up as a riverman on the wild and lonely marshes that fringe the Chesapeake Bay. By the age of 13, as the eldest child, he was providing for his family thanks to the bounty of the Chester River. Born February 1, 1924 to the late, Michael Walsh and Catherine Grocka, he graduated from Chestertown High School. Dr. Walsh did his undergraduate study at Washington College, in Chestertown, which was interrupted by WWII where he served as an Ensign on the USS Union in the Navy, Pacific theater. He was a member of the original Scouts and Raiders which eventually developed into the Navy Seals and is honored in the National Navy UDT-Seal Museum in Florida. Dr. Walsh was a 1952 graduate of The University of Maryland Medical School where he led his class scholastically serving as class President. He did his residency at Wayne County General Hospital in Michigan and Nassau Hospital in New York. Dr. Walsh is a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American and International Colleges of Surgeons. For many years he practiced at Easton Memorial Hospital becoming a much loved surgeon often accepting a bushel of crabs or oysters in lieu of payment. His vast career included being Chief of Surgery at King Abdulaziz Airbase in Saudi Arabia, Chief of Surgery at the VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC, Charleston Naval Hospital, Paris Island and Patrick Air Force Base in FL. He was a gifted athlete, a boat captain of the US Fish and Wildlife research vessel Alosa, a rugged outdoorsman, and became a staunch conservationist which compelled him to write his highly acclaimed book “The Outlaw Gunner”. He witnessed the degradation of the Chesapeake Bay which led him to spearhead the founding of Easton’s beloved Waterfowl Festival which is approaching its 39th anniversary. The Waterfowl Festival has become a symbol of everything “Eastern Shore”. The festival has raised millions of dollars for Wildfowl preservation. While writing The Outlaw Gunner he amassed a unique collection of hunting artifacts. Most of these artifacts were donated to museums including the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Museum, The Mariners’ Museum in Virginia and others. He was a recipient of two Maryland Governor Citations. One was for his caring and service to the Eastern Shore and the other for his conservation efforts and leadership of the Waterfowl Festival. Dr. Walsh is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-six years, Mary Beatrice Wittmer. Together, they traveled extensively abroad. He was an incredible father and is survived by his six children, Harry M. Walsh, Esq. and his wife, Chryss of Florida, Mary B. Gaines and her husband, Myrt of Butler, Md, Michael V. Walsh and his wife, Pam of Easton, Georgeanne C. Pinkard and her husband, Peter of Easton, Joseph P. Walsh and his wife, Lynn of Annapolis and Patrick J. Walsh M.D. and his wife, Inglis of New Bern, North Carolina. He is also survived by his grand children, Rusty Gaines, Lila Gaines, Kelsey Ward, Andrew Ward, Laura, Lindy Walsh, Meris Walsh, Isabelle Walsh, Jena Pinkard, Caity Pinkard, Sarah Walsh, and Carolista Walsh. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert and Sister Marie. He is survived by his sister, Lucille and brothers, Michael and Matthew. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at the St. Michaels Mission Church, St. Michaels, MD on Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 11 am with the burial at 4pm at Old St. Paul’s cemetery in Chestertown, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Dr. Easton, MD 21601 (www.talbothospice.org) and Sts. Peter and Paul Church 7906 Ocean Gtwy., Easton, MD 21601.

Dr. Harry M. Walsh, M.D.

February 1, 1924 - June 27, 2009