LOS ANGELES, CA — Dr. Walter C. Lusk II, 84, died Sunday, October 3, 2010 with his loving wife of 53 years, Nancy, by his side.
He is survived by his wife and children, Walter C. Lusk, III, Sarah L. Lusk and Robert M. Lusk; grandchildren Lori, Keri and Victoria Lusk, sister-in-law Barbara Lusk, and many loving family, friends and patients. His adored older brother John preceded him in death.
Walter was born in Gadsden, Alabama to Sarah and John A. Lusk, Jr. His formative educative years were spent at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN. His undergraduate years were split between the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Vanderbilt University where he joined the V12 program. He received his medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine in 1950. He did his Internship and Assistant Residency at Boston City Hospital, Harvard Service 1950 to 1952. He served in the navy as a Lieutenant, Medical Corps, in the 6th Fleet from 1952 to 1954. After discharge he went to Duke University where he was an Assistant Resident in Medicine, Fellow in Cardio-Pulmonary Medicine, and Resident in Medicine, Endocrinology and Pathology. While at Duke he met the love of his life, Nancy who was teaching nursing at Duke University. In 1958 he went into Private Practice with his brother John in Greensboro, North Carolina. Despite the full time responsibilities of private practice he still found time to be an Instructor in Medicine at Duke University and established the Medical Education Program at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro and was their first Director.
In 1965 Walter moved with his family, which by now included Walter and Sarah to Los Angeles, California to join the Kaiser Permanente Medical Group. He was Chief of Endocrinology at the Sunset Medical Center and until 1996. He continued to practice until 2006. He was a member of the California Medical Society, Cross Town Endocrine Club, the Los Angeles Academy of Medicine, and the American College of Physicians. In 1996 Kaiser established the Walter Lusk Distinguished Physician Award; Walter was characteristically humbled. He worked with the Boy Scouts in Troop 621 and served at the Union Rescue Mission for many years. Walter was Assistant Professor at UCLA and USC and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. He loved nature and was a passionate backpacker, taking many trips with his family and he was proud of completing the John Muir trail.
Education and patient care were Walter's passions. He leaves a legacy of family, faith and service to community. His life was about love-love of family, love of God, and love for his calling and purpose in medicine. His family is grateful to all who shared in his journey. We have all lost a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, mentor, and hero.
A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood on Sunday October 24, 2010 at 2:30 p.m.
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