Walter Cole

Walter John Cole, MD, CM March 12, 1916 - June 17, 2010 Longtime Peninsula physician and horseman, Walter J. Cole, died at his home in Portola Valley, on June 17. His family was with him at the time. Dr. Cole was a clinical professor for many years teaching both at Stanford and at U.C.S.F., and held the title of Associate Professor Emeritus of Stanford University School of Medicine. His father, W. Bertram Cole, was born in New Zealand, and his mother, Ann Chalmers, in Kent, England. They met and settled in Ottawa, ON where Walter was born and raised. At the age of 16, he volunteered with the St. John Ambulance Corps and later attended Queen's University in Kingston, ON, graduating with honors, with the Medical School class of 1943. He completed a fellowship at Johns Hopkins, in Baltimore, MD, and began practicing medicine in Toronto, ON. In the summer of 1941, while working in rural Quebec, he met his wife-to-be, Margaret Storey Hibbert, of Rocky River, OH. They were married in 1942, and in 1948 left Toronto for a new life in California. Walter and "Peg" were married for 50 years. Mrs. Cole died in 1992. Two sons, John, of Tucson, AZ, and Timothy, of San Francisco survive him, along with John's wife, Beth Justice, and Tim's partner, James Haire. Three grandsons and their wives, Shawn and Saundra Cole, Dustin and Anna Gahl Cole, and Kyle and Lynn Cole, as well as two great-grandchildren, Henry and Caroline, also survive him, along with his sister, Connie Savile, 96, of Ottawa, ON. He also leaves a sister-in-law, Daphne Cole, of West Vancouver, BC, nieces and nephews both in Canada and California, and his beloved Labrador, Sandy. His brother, Robert, predeceased him. Countless friends and colleagues, many of whom he considered "family" also survive him. Dr. Cole was first associated with the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, and in the early 1950's established a private practice in Dermatology in downtown Palo Alto. He later collaborated in founding the Altos Oaks Medical Group in Los Altos, and continued a long-time practice at the Stanford Medical Plaza, where he remained until retiring in 1991. He was a Life Member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the North American Clinical Dermatological Society, and the Cutaneous Therapy Society. He was also a Life Member of The Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County, and the Shack Riders. He was a long time member of California Waterfowl Assn. and Ducks Unlimited. He was a past member of the San Mateo County Horseman's Association, the Sonoma Trail Blazers, and Rancheros Visitadores. He was first, and foremost a physician. When practicing, his office hours began at 6:15AM, and he often made house calls to ailing friends and patients, long after retiring. Colleagues hailed him as an outstanding clinician, having an innate ability to glean information from a patient that could lead to an often-complex diagnosis. Among his many achievements in medicine, he co-chaired the Pigmented Lesion and Cutaneous Melanoma Clinic at Stanford Hospital with his friend and colleague, Dr. Robert Walton and established a blood bank program for the members of the Mounted Patrol. He also served for many years on the board of the Peninsula Memorial Blood Bank, as well as serving as the longtime physician for the Stanford Fire Department. His bow tie and handlebar mustache became Dr. Cole's signature look in the medical profession, but off duty, he could be comfortable in a pair of jeans, boots or moccasins, and a rakishly tilted cowboy hat. An avid outdoorsman, his favorite pastimes included trail riding, and herding cattle, both fresh water and deep-sea fishing, and game and duck hunting. He always enjoyed time spent with friends, and especially a daily game of dominoes. In addition, he was an accomplished and admired cook. In January of this year, The Mounted Patrol honored "Doc C" with the 2010 Horseperson/Citizen of the Year Award. In his last years, he proudly served as a Trustee for the Ronald and Ann Williams Charitable Foundation. Among projects he championed were scholarships established for the U.C.S.F. School of Nursing, research grants for the Stanford Hand Clinic, and the ongoing support of the Aging Adult Services Department of Stanford Hospital. According to his wishes, there will be no service. In memoriam, please consider a contribution to Aging Adult Services at Stanford Hospital, Pathways Home Health & Hospice, or a charity of your choice. He remains a great doctor, and a loyal friend.