Walter Irving Wardwell

WARDWELL, Walter Irving Walter Irving Wardwell, 86, of Storrs, passed away Monday, (March 14, 2005) following a long illness. He was born August 23, 1918 in Dorchester, MA, son of Fred Putnam and Hattie (Prior) Wardwell. He grew up in Greenwood, MA, graduated valedictorian of his Wakefield High School class of 1936 and graduated cum laude of his Harvard class of 1940 majoring in philosophy. In 1940 he began active service in the Army serving in North Africa and Italy during World War II. After many years in the Army Reserves he retired from the military as a Colonel. After returning from the war he completed a PhD in Sociology at Harvard and in 1949 took a position on the faculty of the University of Connecticut. He retired as professor of Sociology in 1985. He is noted for his many years of medical sociological research, study and publications. He is particularly celebrated for his long interest and research in Chiropractic, writing a definitive history of the profession. He received many awards for his work including the Medal de Chevalier for Arts and Letters from the Republic of France. Walter had a keen interest in downhill skiing, a member of Plumbly House in Northfield, VT; in languages, joining several campus clubs; and a life long interest in music, playing violin and piano. He served on the first advisory board of the Edwin O. Smith High School, and the Council on Aging for the Town of Mansfield. He was active in the University of Connecticut senate for many years. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (True), of 60 years; three children, Betsy (Wardwell) True and her husband Danny Aerts, of Middleton, Wisconsin, Susan (Wardwell) Borst and her husband David of Bloomington, IL, Steven and his wife Carole of Ft. Pierce, FL, eight grandchildren, Ebbin Trew Martin, Toby Trew Martin, Stacy Lee (Fribourg) Beaudry and her husband, Kenneth, Douglas True Borst, Allison True Borst, Jessica Hoshko and her husband Thomas, Katherine True Wardwell, Michelle True Wardwell; and two great grandchildren, Devin and Austin Beaudry. He was predeceased by his son, William, brother, David and sister, Helen. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 19, at 11 a.m. at the Storrs Congregational Church. Burial will be private in the Storrs Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, 100 Warren Circle, Storrs, Connecticut 06268. The Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic assisted with arrangements. Please visit www.potterfh.com for online memorial guestbook.