Dr. Benjamin Harrison Walker Jr.

WALKER, DR. BENJAMIN HARRISON JR., of Portsmouth, RI, died on Saturday, April 25, surrounded by his family at his home in Portsmouth after a valiant five-year battle with colon cancer. He was 50 years old.

Ben was above all else a devoted husband and father, a talented and dedicated physician as well as an avid sailor and squash player. Dr. Walker was the son of the late Benjamin Harrison Walker and Elizabeth Sillcocks Walker, both of New York City. He is survived by his wife of sixteen years, Dr. Susan Wuthrich Walker of Wharton, Texas and his two sons Benjamin Harrison Walker, III (Harry) and Carter Harold Harrison Walker. He is also survived by a brother, James Harrison Walker, his nephews James Harrison Walker, William Henry Harrison Walker, and a niece, Helena Sherman Walker all of Newport.

Dr. Walker grew up in New York City and spent his summers on Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts. He was a graduate of St. Mark's School in Southborough, Massachusetts, Bowdoin College, and the Columbia University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in emergency medicine with the Air Force and resigned from the service as a Major in 1994. Ben and Sue moved to Portsmouth, RI in 1994, where Ben joined the staff at Newport Hospital in Emergency Medicine. From 1997 until his retirement in 2004 due to illness, he was the chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Walker made significant contributions to Newport Hospital and the community in this role, including overseeing a complete redesign of the Emergency Room facilities, as well as providing the highest standard of critical emergency medical care to Newport and the surrounding communities. Ben was respected and popular with his colleagues and patients alike, and became an integral part of the community through his role at the hospital. In 2005, Dr. Walker received the Distinguished Service Award from the Newport Hospital Board of Trustees for his visionary leadership, compassion, and expert medical judgment.

Ben lived life to its fullest - and shared that passion with everyone he encountered. Known especially for his warmth and generosity of spirit, he was interested in everything and everyone - and always had a good story to tell. He was passionate about many things - sailing, squash, and Cuttyhunk Island, but at the center of Ben's life was his family. His devotion to his beloved wife and children was the foundation of his life. Ben was very involved in all aspects of his sons' lives, providing a warm and loving environment, attending virtually all school and sporting events, taking great interest in helping them lead happy and fulfilling lives.

Ben was a member of the Clambake Club of Newport, Ida Lewis Yacht Club, the Cuttyhunk Yacht Club, and a Mason in the Holland Lodge No. 8 of New York City. He was the great-great-great-grandson of President William Henry Harrison and the great-grandson of President Benjamin Harrison.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2009, at 2pm in St. Columba's Berkeley Memorial Chapel, 55 Vaucluse Avenue, Middletown. He will be buried on Cuttyhunk this summer.

Condolences, information and directions available at www.memorialfuneralhome.com

Funeral arrangements are by Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.