Walter Gustav Schwenk

Walter “Wally” Gustav Schwenk, 68, of Anacortes, died Nov. 4, 2003, in Bellingham following an extended illness. He was born on June 13, 1935 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Otto and Alice (Coy) Schwenk. Wally graduated from The Pomfret School in Pomfret, Conn., in 1953. He received his bachelor’s degree, cum laude from Princeton University in 1957 and continued his education at John Hopkins University School of Medicine, receiving his doctor of medicine degree in 1961.

Wally married Judy Sturgis in 1957 and after living in Baltimore, Md., for six years, they moved to Bellevue in 1963 where Wally continued his surgical training at the University of Washington and the Virginia Mason Clinic. In 1969 they moved to Anacortes where he opened his practice, Island Surgeons. Wally practiced in Anacortes, Coupeville and Friday Harbor until his retirement in 1992.

Besides his love of his family and his dedication to the practice of surgery, Wally loved sailing and boating. He competed locally and in the Seattle area and entered the Victoria to Maui race with his Santa Cruz named Ajax. He is survived by his wife, Judy, and four children: Pamela and Boyd Stern of Buckley and their sons Charlie, Will and Ted; Andy and

Stephanie Schwenk of Poulsbo and their sons Kai and Dylan; Karen Evans of Anacortes and her children Erica, Angela, Christian, and Luke; and Linda and Cameron Myhrvold of Bellevue and their daughters Daphne, Francesca and Geneva. He is also survived by his sister Alice Miskimin of Woodbridge, Conn., and numerous nieces and nephews.

At his request there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Island Hospital Health Foundation, Island Hospital, 24th Street, Anacortes, WA 98221 or to a charity of choice. Arrangements are by Evans Funeral Chapel, Anacortes.