Colonel Walter F. Chase M.D.

Colonel Walter F. Chase, M.D., 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on September 8, 2022. Walter was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Born in Manhattan, New York, Walter was the only child to Walter F. Chase and Helen Bardong Chase.

Walter received his undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. He graduated from Georgetown University Medical School in Washington D.C. and began his residency at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center in New York City. He completed post-graduate subspecialty training in Rheumatology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Chase was a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He served at several USAF bases, including Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, David Grant USAF Medical Center in Fairfield, California and Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Chase was Assistant Professor of Medicine at Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. He served as Military Consultant in Rheumatology to the USAF Surgeon General and was Chief of Rheumatology Services of two USAF Medical Centers.

Dr. Chase practiced Rheumatology and Internal Medicine at Capital Medical Clinic in Austin, Texas. He then had a private Rheumatology practice in the same building. His practice included a research division dedicated to the research of treatments for many rheumatic conditions. An expert in his field, Dr. Chase had articles published in many major medical journals. Patients of Dr. Chase loved and respected him for his warmth, compassion, sense of humor and expertise.

Walter had a robust sense of humor. His smile was contagious and lit up the world around him. He was the most honorable of men, always honest and just. He was generous and compassionate in so many ways and had a deep desire to help those in need. He worked his whole life helping others, not only through his work as a Rheumatologist, but in his family and personal life as well. He was eternally inquisitive, always searching for solutions and he thoroughly enjoyed learning how things worked. He loved to fix and create things and always left things better than he found them. Walter was an avid collector of vintage radios and his collection rivals few. His talents were apparent in his extensive work restoring his radio collection. He had a love for classical music, art and architecture. He had a lifelong love for his birthplace of New York City. Walter loved to read, and books lined his shelves. Walter was a true intellectual, challenging beliefs and looking for answers to life's deeper questions. He instilled this love of knowledge in his stepchildren and grandchildren and will leave a deep and lasting mark on their minds and hearts.

Walter was a devoted husband to his dear wife Cynthia. They shared a deep love for one another that was evident to those around them. He was a kind, accepting and loving father and was always available to talk things through with honesty and a level head. He spoke from the heart. Those closest to him are forever changed for the better by knowing him, as are so many others whose lives were impacted by his spirit. Walter is preceded in death by his parents Walter F. Chase and Helen Bardong Chase. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Gage Chase, stepchildren Michael Hutchison and wife Erica, Rosella Hutchison and husband Bradley Hindelang, Laura Garcci and husband Marcello, grandsons Wyatt, Otto, and Oliver, granddaughters Clara, and Auryn (due 10/1/22) and other beloved family members and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Benjamin Downie and outstanding caregivers Norma Cruz and Ernestine Harris for their compassion and loving care.

A small, private service was held for immediate family on September 15.

Respects may be made by visiting www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pflugerville-tx/walter-chase-10922503

Memorial contributions in memory of Dr. Chase may be made to the American Cancer Society, a charity that benefits veterans or a non-profit organization you are passionate about.