Dr. Walter E. Nance

NANCE, Dr. Walter E., M.D., Ph.D., 88, of Chaska, Minn., died peacefully on October 17, 2021. A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, University of the South and Harvard Medical School, he was Professor of Human Genetics, Pediatrics and Medicine, and Chair of the Department of Human Genetics at Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University from 1975 until his retirement in 2002. A national leader in the field of human genetics and former President of the American Society of Human Genetics, he published over 250 scientific papers and trained hundreds of students and fellows, always maintaining an eye on the human aspects of his work. Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Dana W. Nance and Anna B. Nance; by siblings, Dana W. Nance Jr. and Florence Woodiel; and by his wife, Mayna (Avent) Nance. He is survived by his first wife, Carol Nance; brother, F. Carter Nance (Patsy); children, Dana Mackenzie (Kay) and Martha Nance (John Trusheim); grandsons, Matt Trusheim (Corinne) and Stephen Trusheim; and by stepsons, Bryan and Michael Mackinnon, their families; and a host of stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren. Donations in his memory can be made to the Walter E. Nance M.D. Ph.D. Professorship in Human Genetics and sent to Priscilla (Wiggin) Cash BSN RN, VCU School of Medicine, MCV Alumni House, Box 980022, Richmond, Va. 23298-0022, the Jacqueline Avent Concerto Competition, The Sewanee Summer Music Festival, 735 University Ave., Sewanee, Tenn. 37383, or The Exeter Fund, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, N.H. 03833.