Former NCI Deputy Walter Dies
By Dr. Jack Kalberer
Dr. William A. Walter, Jr., deputy director of NCI's Division of Extramural Activities from 1972 to 1984, died of lung cancer Aug. 11 at his home in Bethesda. He retired from NIH after serving more than 35 years as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service.
Dr. William A. Walter, Jr.
During his years at NCI, Walter, along with Dr. J. Palmer Saunders, were the principals in conceptualizing the "centers" program now recognized throughout NIH and the medical school community. Walter assumed responsibility for the planning and eventual designation of the original 10 cancer centers called for in the National Cancer Act of 1971. He was recognized and well regarded by the basic science and therapy community alike, and he played a role in the growth of radiation therapy and medical oncology becoming medical specialties. At a recent NIH Lecture, Nobel Laureate Don Thomas of bone marrow transplantation fame gave special recognition to Walter for coming to the rescue of his program when he was at the Seattle public health hospital, which was to be closed down.
Walter received his A.B. degree from Indiana University and his M.D. degree from its school of medicine. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army from 1946-1948. In 1951, he received a master of public health degree from Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health.
Following assignments to the state boards of health of Kentucky and Florida, Walter came to NCI in 1955 as an epidemiologist. He was project officer in charge of the NCI-funded Houston Pulmonary Cytology Project at M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, and the Philadelphia Cytology Project at Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania.
In 1972, he became deputy director of the Division of Cancer Grants (later renamed the Division of Cancer Research Resources and Centers and more recently, the Division of Extramural Activities). In 1976-1977, he was also acting director of the division's Centers and Treatment Program. From 1980 to 1981 he was acting director as well as deputy director of the division, and in addition was executive secretary of the National Cancer Advisory Board.
Walter received the PHS Commendation Medal in 1969 and again in 1974. He served on many NIH and NCI committees, as well as working groups on diet and nutrition and on smoking and health.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carol P. Walter; two daughters, Kathleen A. Shoobridge of Gaithersburg, and Elizabeth W. O'Hare of Mt. Airy, and five grandchildren.
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