David P. Walters D.O.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the loss of David Paul Walters, D.O., of Brighton, Michigan, who passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the age of 64 after a brave battle with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Taken from us far too soon, his legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering support will forever resonate with those who had the privilege of knowing him. With a clever sense of humor and a ready smile reflected in his gorgeous blue eyes, Dave lived a life full of love, adventure, and learning.
Dave's greatest joy was his children, Louis and Claire. Dave never missed a sporting event, award ceremony, graduation, or any other opportunity to show his unwavering support. His legacy continues in them, and they will be sustained by countless memories of their loving, engaged, and proud father.
Dave married t
he love of his life, Lori Binder, in 1991 and spent 36 fulfilling years together in a lasting partnership. Their marriage was a true love story, buoyed by the support of family and friends. Dave loved to travel with his family, reaching destinations such as Istanbul, Prague, Paris, London, Athens, and Dublin, among many other beautiful places. He also took great pride in attending several medical mission trips to Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. His favorite and most cherished destination was the Boulder River Ranch in Montana, where he enjoyed his honeymoon and several family trips. Dave's love for his Michigan home ran deep as well; having biked the Dick Alan Lansing to Mackinac Ride (DALMAC) 13 times, he gained an intimate and cherished perspective on the state he adored, particularly enjoying the Leelanau Peninsula.
A man of simple pleasures, Dave found solace on his 11-acre farm in Brighton, which counterbalanced his busy career as an Emergency Room Physician. You could often find Dave working in his barn, riding his John Deere tractor, and tending to his woods, apple orchard, vineyard, greenhouse, and vegetable garden. Over 30 years, Dave planted more than 75 trees, taking great pride in the habitat he created for many of Earth's creatures. Dave also enjoyed tending to his chickens, donkeys, goats, sheep, cats, and many beloved dogs. Birdsong was Dave's favorite music, and he spent countless hours sitting on his front porch, marveling at the natural world he cherished.
Dave grew up on Detroit's west side as the fourth of six children born to Edward and Patricia Walters. Dave's large, close-knit family continuously provided a strong support system. As the oldest of the last three children, who were so close in age they could be considered Irish (or Polish) triplets, he played the roles of both protector and instigator of mischief. His extended family offered a beloved summer oasis on the St. Clair River, where he developed a passion for boats and water sports, even naming his daughter after this cherished place. Another family branch introduced him to hunting and fishing camps, which instilled his continuous love of the outdoors.
Dave graduated from St. Agatha High School in 1979. He was a proud alumnus of Michigan State University, where he received his undergraduate degree and Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine. David also earned an MHSA at the University of Michigan, but his blood always ran green.
Dave completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, serving as chief resident during his final year. He then went on to a fulfilling 20 years of caring for patients as an Emergency Room Physician at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills. He later became Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Botsford, beginning a new career as a physician-administrator and helping steer Botsford's partnership with Beaumont and Oakwood Healthcare Systems in Southeastern Michigan. From this partnership, David moved on to his capstone role as Senior Vice President for Beaumont Health Physician Partners, finally leading to a well-earned retirement in 2020. Within his career, David proudly served at the invitation of Governor Rick Snyder on the State of Michigan Board of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons from 2013-2017, which he would go on to chair.
Dave dedicated his life to his family, working tirelessly to provide for them while filling their lives with love, laughter, and devotion. With a steadfast moral compass and an innate sense of grace and diplomacy, he was a devoted father, husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, friend, physician, and leader.
Dave is survived by four of his five siblings: Barbara Walters, her husband Larry Wiley; Joseph Walters, his wife Karen, son Richard Labudie and his wife Velvet; Nancy Marrone, her husband Dean; Andrew Walters, his wife Elizabeth; and his beloved nephews James and Daniel Walters. He is also survived by his cherished niece, Rebecca Knudson, and her husband, David.
David was devoted to and is survived by Lori's family: father Robert Hollenshead, his wife Lily Gee; uncles Bruce Wilson and Neill Hollenshead; aunt Carol Lee Hollenshead and cousins Ben Hollenshead and his wife Karen Staib, Anthony Wilson and his wife Heidi Rosbe, Sam Hollenshead and his wife Brooke Slezak, Evelyn Hollenshead and her wife Alicia George along with all of their wonderful children: Elias, Ethan, Marcus, Lucas, Omar, Abe, Finn, and Lola.
David is preceded in death by his dear parents, Patricia and Edward Walters, and his beloved brother, John Walters.
The Walters Family will receive friends at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home on Sunday, April 6, 2-8 pm.
A funeral service celebrating Dave's life will be Monday, April 7, 4 pm, also at Heeney-Sundquist.
He will be laid to rest privately with his family at Brighton Hills Cemetery, Brighton, MI.
Gratefully accepting donations on David's behalf to: Alzheimer's Association or Leelanau Land Conservancy.
Please keep the Walters family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.