Dr. Walter F. ODonnell

Dr. Walter F. O'Donnell, of Sewickley, passed away at his home Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. Walter was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Rose O'Donnell; his stepmother, Laura O'Donnell; his sister, Mary Casper; and brother, Tommy O'Donnell. He is survived by his brother, Michael O'Donnell (Kay); and sister Pat Kelly. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Diana. They were married in Pittsburgh on May 9, 1987. Also survived by his children, son, Christopher (Jo), their children Sydney, Alec, Shelby, Alyssa, Marc, and Kennedy; Walter's daughter, Meghan (Jiggs) Rogers, their children Van and Fox O'Donnell Rogers; and Walter's sons, Brennan and Conor. Walter is also fondly remembered by a multitude of friends, colleagues, and patients whom through his kind heart and special soul touched everyone with whom he came in contact, both friend and patient alike. Walter was born Oct. 14, 1941, in Pittsburgh. He graduated from St. Elizabeth High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from St. Vincent College in 1963. He earned a Doctor of Medicine from The University of Pittsburgh in 1967, completed his resident and teaching fellowship for urological surgery in 1974. He has been a member of the American Board of Urology since 1976 and a member of the American Urological Association North East section. His reputation as one of the best surgeons in Pittsburgh was well earned in over 50 years of practice. During his distinguished career he innovated new surgical techniques and devices that enriched the lives of patients from the Pittsburgh community, surrounding areas, and other countries. Dr. O'Donnell served as captain in the Air Force in Vietnam from February 1969 to 1970, for which he received the Bronze Star medal. During ground operations, he used "his extensive medical knowledge, compassion and concern for his patients and his ability to speak to young servicemen with frankness and freshness showing exemplary leadership, personal endeavor and devotion to duty." This compassion and concern for his patients and colleagues alike continued during a long and distinguished career in the city he loved, Pittsburgh. Dr. O'Donnell was chief of the division of Urology at Pittsburgh Mercy Hospital and the Veteran Administration Hospital, assistant professor at University of Pittsburgh, practiced and provided his unique and special guidance to residents at Mercy, Presbyterian, Magee, St. Clair and the VA hospitals throughout his career. His profession brought him into contact with many influential Pittsburghers, clergy, sports figures and politicians. As any colleague would attest to, "If you had a complex case, needed an answer, help, or advice you went to Dr. O'D". At home, Walter shared his love of woodworking and landscaping where the entire family would be "enlisted" to complete the next great O'Donnell project. These projects brought joy and lasting memories to all in his family. Walter reveled in creating the go-to home for his children and their friends, a place where everyone came to meet, laugh, and create lifelong memories. The list of those he has either touched by his medical practice or through his special soul can not be expressed properly here, but only in the hearts and minds of his friends, co-workers and thousands of patients.
As the good doctor would have wanted, we will all be celebrating his life at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, at the Allegheny Country Club, 250 Country Club Road, Sewickley, PA 15143 (412) 741-7500. Please join us to share stories while we celebrate the man who touched so many of us.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America at https://vva.org/, Animal Friends at http://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/, and Oceana at http://oceana.org/.