August 07, 1925 - June 05, 2014
Walter Daryl "Bill" Kelsch Obituary
Dr. Walter Daryl ?Bill? Kelsch died last week. Bill is now with his beloved wife Phyllis, who passed away last August. He is deeply missed but fondly remembered by his family.
Bill was born on August 7, 1925, in Glendive, Montana, and grew up delivering papers, riding the railroad, and climbing trees to build his egg shell collection.
After graduating from Dawson County High School, he attended the University of Montana. His studies were interrupted by his service in the Navy during the war in the Pacific, stationed in Hawaii. After the war he returned to U of M to earn both BA and BS by 1949. While working at the Northern Pacific Hospital in Missoula, he met Phyllis, who was the love of his life. They were married in 1950 and moved to North Dakota where he earned a Masters degree in Chemistry. He continued his studies at the University of Washington, receiving his MD in 1955, and later specialized in Anesthesiology. He was a founding member of Anesthesia Associates of Spokane, serving the Spokane community for many years.
An eminently practical man, he was devoted to his family and his gardening, passing on his love for the earth to his children and grandchildren.
His curiosity about the world in which he lived was enriched by his extensive travelling with Phyllis. He loved to learn, reading for information and knowledge and taking classes at the community colleges of Spokane and other venues. He was an avid golfer, played bridge, cribbage and poker with his family and friends. He was a member of the Spokane Elks Lodge, Indian Canyon Golf Club, and Central Methodist Church. He and Phyllis contributed much to the Spokane community.
He is survived by his sister, Donna Wright (Don) of Visalia, CA, his four children, Barbara Fortunate (Norman), Patty Bartholomew (Douglas), Lt. Col. (ret.) Steven Kelsch (Col. Sue Fraser), and Judy Kelsch, eight grandchildren, and Olivia, his nine-month old great-granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held at the Rockwood Community Center, on Saturday, June 14, at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bill?s name to Central United Methodist Church.
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