Walter Wiggs Fingar

Dr. Walter Wiggs Fingar, DDS, MS, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 9, 2026, at the age of 92. A devoted Christian, loving husband, and dedicated father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he lived a life centered on his faith in Jesus Christ and his deep love for his family.

Born on January 14, 1934, in Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Fingar was raised on a farm where he learned at an early age the values of faith, hard work, and service to others. He attended Middle Tennessee State University and earned his dental degree from the University of Tennessee. After serving his country in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he pursued advanced training at the University of Iowa, where he earned his Master of Science degree.

It was at church where Walter would meet the love of his life, Mildred, his soulmate and beloved wife of over 63 years. Walter and Mildred’s marriage was a testament to enduring love, mutual devotion, and shared faith. Their union was the cornerstone of his life, and Mildred’s passing in 2019 left a profound void, as she had been his constant companion and the center of his world for more than six decades. Together, they built a beautiful family, dedicating their lives to raising their six children in the love and knowledge of Christ. Walter was a devoted father who treasured his role in his children’s lives and later delighted in being a grandfather and great-grandfather.

In 1968, Dr. Fingar and Mildred moved to Charleston when he joined the newly established Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. Over his 25-year career at MUSC, he served in various leadership roles, including Chairman of the Department of Operative Dentistry, Associate Dean for Students, and, ultimately, Dean of the College of Dental Medicine from 1987 to 1993. He was known for his integrity, his genuine care for students, and his belief that honest relationships built on trust were the foundation of effective teaching and mentorship.

However, Walter would say his greatest accomplishments were not professional but personal – his marriage to Mildred, his six children, and the legacy of faith and family they created together. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Charleston, where his faith was not merely professed but lived out daily. Those who knew him recognized a man whose Christian values guided every aspect of his life, from his family relationships to his professional interactions. He approached life with humility, gratitude, and an appreciation for the blessings God had given him.

Walter is reunited in heaven with his cherished wife, Mildred. He is survived by his four daughters: Libbye F. Bennett (Kevin), Linda F. Miller, Amy F. Graves (Stephen), and Rachel F. Ringer (Michael); two sons: Walter B. Fingar (Heidi) and W. Russell Fingar (Leisa); 23 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and his extended family who loved him dearly. The family takes comfort in knowing that he is now in the presence of his Lord and reunited with his beloved Mildred, the love of his life.

The family will receive friends in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 5pm to 7pm. A funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Charleston on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 11am. Burial to immediately follow at Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island.

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The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/Z2JPmtdN9hs?si=zB_6UU1mNj_1PWcL

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