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Thomas Waltz Obituary
Dr. Waltz, a neurosurgeon and senior consultant in neurosurgery of the Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, was chairman and chief executive officer of the Scripps Clinic from 1991 to 2000 and president of the Scripps Clinic Medical Group from 1990 to 2000. He came to San Diego in 1970 and practiced neurosurgery primarily at Mercy and Rady Children's Hospitals. He joined Scripps Clinic in 1977.
In addition to his clinical practice, he has served on the board of directors of The Doctors Company, a mutual insurance company, and Premera Blue Cross of Washington and Alaska, a not-for-profit Blue Cross medical insurance provider, Genoptix Inc, and as the chairman of the board of Peregrine Pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Waltz received his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He was a resident in neurosurgery at Baylor School of Medicine in Houston and held fellowships at the National Hospital of Neurological Diseases in London and in neuropathology at Oxford. Dr. Waltz also served with the United States Air Force as captain and flight surgeon.
He is survived by his wife, Nell Foster Waltz; children, Thomas and Tina Waltz and Robert and Melanie Waltz; grandchildren, Taylor, Michaele and Trevor Waltz; and sister, Nancy Hollingsworth of Newport, KY.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 18 at 3 p.m. at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, 4321 Eastgate Mall.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Internal Medicine Residency of the Scripps Clinic and Scripps Green Hospital, 10666 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Waltz
R. Smith
August 7, 2024
Condolences for Thomas Waltz. I never met him, but I knew his son Robert as I went to school with him from 6th to 8th grade from 1973 to the end of 1975 when I moved with my family back east. Robert and I weren't exactly pals, sometimes a verbal clash, but I always respected him as he seemed like a straight up no nonsense guy. I like to believe that to be a positive reflection of him and his father. I hope that doesn't sound cornball. R.I.P Thomas Waltz
Juan Amaya
January 24, 2024
Thank you Dr. Waltz for saving my life 45 years ago has a three month old baby. Rest in peace.
Earl Garner
February 3, 2011
Dr. Waltz performed two surgeries on me after I sustained a broken neck (Jumped Fisset) in a roll over accident in Arizona in February 1999. By harvesting bone from my pelvic and fusing the bone to my 6th and 7th vertebrae he gave me a quality of life after paralysis that I continue to enjoy today. I feel I owe him my life. He was a caring and meticulous man. After surgery he would examine me with great care in his office on his desk. I will forever be indebted to Dr. Waltz and I will never forget him. Prayers to the familly for a wonderful man and a great surgeon.
Jeannie Barufaldi
December 26, 2008
I worked with Dr. Waltz for a few years at Scripps Green Hospital. I was so sorry to hear of his passing and so grateful to have known him. Dr. Waltz treated me as an equal and was a joy to assist...he had a wonderful sense of humor and displayed dignity in everything he did. My sincere condolences to his Wife, Nell, who he spoke so highly of, during many hours of surgery. I will always think of him with great affection.
Ann and Bob d
December 21, 2008
Bob and I just heard about Tom's death last night as we have been traveling. We want Nel to know that we send our great regrets as Tom was a fine man who seemed too young to be gone! He was always gracious and clearly lived a fine life of service to others and his friends and family. We are so sorry to learn of this. Ann and Bob Dynes
Mark Krey
December 21, 2008
I’m very sorry to hear Dr. Waltz passed away. My sympathies to his loved ones. He was a great surgeon: very caring, considerate and compassionate. I'm very lucky to have had him as my doctor.
Grant Price
December 21, 2008
I am so sorry for your loss. I work with Dr. Watz's daughter-in-law and I know how close she is to her family. I'm sure Dr. Waltz helped inspire this closness and I know how deeply he will be missed, but never fortgotten.
Kate Culliton
December 20, 2008
To my mentor, my guide, Tom Waltz. The man who shaped me into the nurse I am today. I will miss you, and your sincere compassion for every person who crossed your path with all my heart. I am so very sad and so very lucky to have worked the past 19 years at your side.
Donna Yamaguchi McDonnell
December 19, 2008
In November, 1975 we were fortunate to have Dr. Waltz come into our lives. My mom, Mary Yamaguchi, had suffered a cerebral hemorrage. Dr. Waltz operated on her at Mercy Hospital. I don't think any other neurosurgeon could have
been as compassionate and caring and so skilled in his profession.
Through the years we followed Dr. Waltz's career and were so proud of his many accomplishments. We are incredibly thankful he was Mom's doctor.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you. We share in your loss. Dr. Waltz will be so missed.
Gail and Larry Adams
December 18, 2008
We were so deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Waltz’s passing and send our heartfelt sympathy to his family.
Dr. Waltz was an incredibly gifted surgeon, a kind, compassionate man and, in the eyes of our family, a true miracle worker.
In 1987, Dr. Waltz operated on our three-month-old daughter, Jennifer, to remove a pituitary brain tumor which was blocking her optic nerve. From the moment we met him, Dr Waltz’s gentle demeanor and confident manner gave us hope in the midst of our despair while his outstanding surgical expertise provided the best possible outcome for our daughter.
Twelve years later, Jennifer was rushed to the emergency room with symptoms which unfortunately revealed a massive recurrence of the same tumor. We were told bluntly that the tumor could not be removed without causing cognitive or visual damage. We immediately contacted Dr. Waltz who was so incredibly compassionate and caring. His calm, competent manner reassured us that he would do everything in his power to remove the tumor with minimal disruption. Dr. Waltz was able to do just that and Jennifer emerged from the surgery with her vision and cognition intact. Today she is a 21 year old college senior at Point Loma Nazarene University and working part time at Green Hospital.
Words cannot adequately express how profoundly Dr. Waltz affected our family’s life. We simply adored him and will be eternally grateful to him. We deeply mourn the loss of such a wonderful man, exceptional physician and our personal hero.
Gail and Larry Adams
Constance Bongi
December 18, 2008
After suffering for many many years, Dr. Waltz successfully operated on my neck. I have never experienced a kinder, gentler or more brilliant doctor than he. I send my love to his wife and family.
Constance Stothart Bongi (La Jolla)
Julie Lehrman
December 17, 2008
I first met Dr. Waltz in 2005 when I learned that I would be able to have DBS surgery for my Tourette Syndrome. I am an employee at Scripps Green AND a patient of Dr. Waltz. His kind professional manner always amazed me! He spent so much time explaining the surgery, and he and his team went out of their way to make sure I had the surgery even when our insurance company denied it. I will always be eternally grateful for all he did for me. My daughter and I will never forget him and our prayers go out to his family. God bless you all.
David Pohl
December 16, 2008
I first met Dr. Waltz when we both were elected to the Board of Directors of Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in 2004. The rest of us on the Board quickly realized the value of his presence and soon elected him Chairman. His warm personality and humility were disarming in the face of his obvious professional expertise combined with keen business acumen. It warms my heart to have known Tom and served with him even for a few years, and I realize I am but one of the very many who will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family.
JACK G. MOWERS
December 16, 2008
I served as a Medical Services Specialist/Corpsman in the U S Air Force from Dec. 1959 through Nov. 1963. From mid 1960 I was stationed at Lowry AFB in Denver, Co. I worked in the Surgery Ward of the hospital and later in the Dispensary.I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Dr. Waltz as he was in the Flight Surgeon's office and he would act as MOD on my night/weekend shifts from time to time. He was not impressed with the fact he was an Officer--he was a physician first and foremost. He treated all the Enlisted Personnel that worked with him in a friendly manner, recognized the abilities we had and let us use them, and was great to work with. An all round "good guy" and was highly respected by his peers. It was a pleasure knowing him for that period of time.
Robin McCormack
December 16, 2008
Twenty Two years ago, your husband and father went into the back of my husband's
skull and inserted a sponge to separate a
blood vessel and a nerve, that had been
giving my husband headaches for 17 years, and the headaches stopped. He never had another single headache again.
Even though my husband is no longer with us, he would most definitely would have
wanted his family to know what a great surgeon he was, and how compassionate he
was towards me. One of the most wonderful
human beings on this earth. His life shall
be celebrated by all. My heartfelt sympathy
goes to the family.
Daniel Rigoli
December 16, 2008
Dr. Waltz operated on me twice for nuerofibromas of the spine. Once in 1985 and the second time in 1990. The 1990 operation lasted six and one half hours. I saw him yearly for followup office visits until this past year, when he became ill.Our family saw him about a month ago when he and his wife, Nell were having Sunday morning breakfast at the same place we were. We visited for a short time. I was in tears when I learned he was ill. I loved the man and always will. Our Sympathy to the entire Waltz Family. Dan & Jill Rigoli & Family.
Robert H. Smith, J.D.
December 16, 2008
During my years as Vice President Development at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, I had the privilege and pleasure to know and work with Dr. Waltz who was an accomplished physician and leader. May God bless him.
Betsy Evatt
December 16, 2008
Two years ago, almost to the day, Dr. Waltz looked at my brain MRI and treated me as though I was the only patient in his office. He calmly explained to my husband and I that we needed an immediate surgical procedure that would be scheduled the day after Christmas. He called me on Christmas to be sure I was managing ok until the surgery. He was a rare combination of kindess and humility for a man of his stature. It was a gift to have known him. My heart goes out to the family.
Mary Lee Moser
December 16, 2008
Dr. Waltz was a true gentleman and so skilled. My 33 year-old son has spina bifida, and Dr. Waltz operated on him many times (also on my husband who had a brain tumor). A few years ago, I e-mailed Dr. Waltz to thank him for all he'd done, and to update him on my son. He e-mailed right back with his usual graciousness and kindness. I will always remember him as he was in the 1970's, striding down the halls of Mercy and Children's, with people commenting on how much he looked like "McCloud" and on how many shunt revisions he could do in a day while seeming energetic and unfazed! My sympathy to all the family on your loss of this wonderful man. Mary Lee Moser
Debbi manson
December 16, 2008
Dr Waltz was a miracle man in the eyes of my daughter! He addressed and cured her health issue with the same expertise and compassion described by many. After her surgery,(she was the youngest one he had performed this surgery on), she brought him a mylar balloon that said," YOU ARE #1 ". He gleefully walked around his office saying to his staff," Look what I got. When was the last time you recieved a balloon?!" Michelle and our family will never forget what he did for her! We are reminded everytime she holds hands with us!!!! To his family, we are so sorry for your loss! God Bless!
Pam Boswell
December 16, 2008
I did not know Dr. Waltz as long as others here at Scripps Green, but he was a joy to work with and one of the most approachable neurosurgeons I've ever worked with.
Obviously a sincere, kind man. Pam Boswell (pathology)
Mary Haragely
December 16, 2008
We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Al & Mary Haragely
(Virgin America Airlines)
Renee Tietsworth
December 16, 2008
I am very sorry for your loss. I will always remember Dr. Waltz as he was my neurosurgeon for 14 years and two surgeries. He was the best surgeon and so compassionate. The community has lost a great doctor and man. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief. I know he fought a hard fight and having just seen him in his office I know that he loved what he did and loved his family. Sincerely, Renee Tietsworth
Lisa Seiler
December 16, 2008
I am so very sorry for your loss. Dr. Waltz was one of the most kind and gifted doctors that I have ever met. He helped me tremendously when I had brain surgery and I am eternally grateful. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
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