Name: Visitation for DR. JOHN BEAUMONT WALDEN
Start: 2020-02-01T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-02-01T16:00:00.000Z
Location: Handley Funeral Home Inc

DR. JOHN BEAUMONT WALDEN, son of Dr. George Washington Walden and Mauna Fae Walden, dedicated his 76 years on Earth to medical education, humanitarian efforts and living each day to its fullest. A gifted orator and man of considerable wit, John attended some of the finest learning institutions including University of Virginia, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Gorgas U.S. Army Hospital, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Passionate for patient care, particularly in rural and remote regions of the world, he served the local community as Professor and Chair of Family & Community Health and Associate Dean of Marshall University School of Medicine. He joined the medical school in 1982. He was dedicated to clinical ability and took great pleasure in training the next generation of young medical minds. John was renowned for his love and preservation of the jungle and its mystical inhabitants, the indigenous tribes of the Amazon basin. Spanning four decades and completing over 150 treks into the jungle, John initiated and implemented modern health care practices to countless peoples and their societies in Central and South America. His dedication to their preservation awarded him a great number of professional honors and distinctions. A photographer, sailor and dedicated naturalist, he passed peacefully on January 23, 2020, in his beloved South Florida. He is survived by his son, Eric Walden, daughter, Ilanna Garzon (Dr. Philippe Garzon), grandchildren, Ariel Garzon, Mia Garzon and Eliza Garzon, sister, Isabel Rose Walden (S.L. Kirby), and former spouse, Lisa Walden. Despite an incredibly blessed and decorated career, one of John's favorite pastimes was simply relaxing with family, friends and a great glass of wine. His fantastically entertaining tales of adventure, slick sense of humor and wise counsel will be dearly missed. We love you, Dad; thank you for everything. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 1, at Handley Funeral Home, 7350 Lynn Avenue, Hamlin. Visitation will be 10 to 11 a.m. Service will be at 11 a.m., and burial to follow thereafter at Goldsbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the TOMA Foundation, www.tomatribaloutreach.org/, 678-644-6383, or Becker Family Scholarship/Marshall University Foundation, attention Linda Holmes, 1600 Medical Center Drive, Huntington, WV 25701. You may express your condolences to the family at www.handleyfh.com.

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Published by The Herald-Dispatch from Jan. 30 to Jan. 31, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for JOHN WALDEN

Sponsored by Handley Funeral Home Inc.

14 Entries

Gay Jackson

February 4, 2020

His many talents - his calm - his humor - his leadership - his kindness - these are the things I remember. He inspired me every day we worked together.

February 3, 2020

With great sorrow I learned of Dr. John Walden's passing. As young men in Lincoln County we "ran around" together in John's sports car. He was that rare combination of brilliance, kindness and compassion. I shall miss him.
Dr. John H. Spurlock, WKU Professor of English, Emeritus

February 3, 2020

With deepest sympathies to each of you left behind by this remarkable man.
May you find comfort in knowing he made the world a better place.
Godspeed Dr. Johnny

Bill Marley

February 1, 2020

Dr. Walden was a friend. I had the privilege of working with him on the Marshall University School of Medicine Admissions Committee for which he served as Chair. He was a magnificent human being, a light in the forest, and I will miss him greatly.
Dr. William P. Marley Emeritus Professor, Marshall University

February 1, 2020

George Walden

February 1, 2020

A note to my Uncle John,

The medical profession is a hard taskmaster. The reality is doctors put in long hours and many hard years to get to the level of accomplishment you did. I want to thank you for your service to your fellow man. I was proud to have a family member with the same last name give more to society than he received. Your service and dedication to others both as a practitioner and teacher are to be commended.

I found out about your death late in the evening, when you know that a family call usually means bad news. The Patriarch of the Walden family was gone. Allow me to leave you with this thought.

If a man is measured by his good works for others, then you, John, were a great man.

Linda Holmes

February 1, 2020

To John's family, my sincerest sympathy for the loss of this amazing man. I can say he was the MU School of Medicine's Indiana Jones. His infectious smile and amazing , movie worthy, stories always amazed me. My life has been enriched from our personal and professional friendship. Thanks for all he did to make the SOM and the Family Medicine Department what it is today.

Dana Brillhart

January 31, 2020

Dr Walden would come to the Cabell Huntington Hospital Laboratory to review his patient's malaria slides. A very interesting man, talking about his adventures in the jungles of South America. An amazing man and oh so nice and friendly. His family is in my thoughts and prayers! Will always be remembered with a smile.

dennis burton

January 31, 2020

Like many people I knew and admired John and considered him a close friend. Unfortunately we did not spend as much time together as I would have liked, partly due to my busy schedule and his sailing schedule. On a great day next fall, at my farm in West Virginia I plan on lighting up a Montechristo and opening a bottle of '82 Lafite and toasting a life well lived.
Godspeed John Walden, I shall miss you.

Dennie Burton
Class of '81 MUSOM

Robert Stanton

January 31, 2020

John always had wonderful tales about his adventures. I will miss him a lot.

Rosalie Carter

January 31, 2020

Sympathy to the family. I have a funny story to tell about this doctor, his dad was our family doctor as I was growing up at Salt Rock, Wv. His dad delivered me almost 78 years ago, back when he used to go to peoples home. My dad and I were outside Dr. George Waldens office at West Hamlin, while my mom was seeing the dr. This doctor was small then ,like I was, and he asked my dad what my name was, my dad said Rosalie, he replied quote "That is an awful pretty name for such an ugly girl" I always said I should go to him as a patient and remind him of what he said, I always thought it was so funny.

January 30, 2020

I'd like to send my deepest sympathy to John's family. John and I attended grades 1 thru 5 together at Hamlin Elementary and built chassis together.

Sincerely,

Homer Porter

January 30, 2020

My deepest sympathy for the loss of John. We attended West Hamlin Elementary school together for the first 5 grades. We designed race car chassis in school and enjoyed a great relationship throughout life.

God bless John's family.

Sincerely,

Homer Poeter

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