Walter William Huurman, Jr., MD

Mass of Christian Burial Livestream Link: https://basilica.nd.edu/sacraments/funerals/funerals-livestream/

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Walter William Huurman, Jr., MD who left us on August 19, 2023 at the age of 87 in Miramar Beach, FL. He was born on March 16, 1936 in Rochester, N.Y., and brought immeasurable joy and love into the lives of all who knew him. 

Walt is survived by his wife of 55+ years, Lindsay McGuiness Huurman; his two children, Sean (Susan) Huurman, and Anne (Keith) Burke; and his five grandchildren, Patrick, Shannon and Aidan Huurman, and Matthew and Conor Burke.  Walt was a dear brother to Barbara (Sam) Farah, and Kevin (Janelle) Huurman, and a beloved son to the late Walter and Anna Lennon Huurman.  He was a dear uncle, cousin, mentor, and friend to many.   

He attended The Aquinas Jesuit Institute of Rochester where he was involved in sports, the newspaper, and the Glee Club.  His senior year Walt received his Eagle Scout award, graduating in 1954 with Honors.  In 2016, he was named Alumnus of the Year and inducted into the Aquinas Hall of Fame.  Walt went on to college at the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated as a Pre-Medicine major, cum laude.  Notre Dame always held a special place in Walt’s heart, where many traditions have continued on with his children and grandchildren.

In 1958, Walt began his medical journey at Northwestern Medical School in Chicago.  During medical school he applied for and was granted a scholarship from the US Navy.  Upon graduation from medical school in 1962, and the completion of a year-long internship at Cook County Hospital, he was brought on active duty.  Walt became a Navy Flight Surgeon.  His first assignment was to an air group in Coronado, CA and to the aircraft carrier USS Hornet during Vietnam. Upon his return to Coronado following Vietnam, he met Lindsay McGuiness, an elementary school teacher from Frederick, MD.  

Walt and Lindsay were married in 1967, and then moved to Oakland, CA where Walt began his residency in Orthopedic Surgery.  He rose to the rank of Captain, and over the next 7 years, Lindsay and Walt would have two children, and ultimately settle in Omaha, NE.  He left active duty in the Navy for a Pediatric Orthopedic academic position at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, but remained in the Active Reserve component of the Naval Medical Corps.  In 1991, Walt returned to active duty when he served as Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at the Fleet Hospital, Bahrain & Saudi Arabia, during the first Gulf War in Iraq.  Upon his completion of this assignment, he returned to his practice at UNMC and Children’s Hospital, practicing and teaching as a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery.  He pioneered many new techniques and procedures, including being a part of the medical team that separated conjoined twins, one of many highlights of his distinguished career. 

Walt’s unwavering faith, service to his country, love for family and friends, care for his patients, and passion for his Alma Mater was a source of inspiration for us all.  He was always available to help a friend, a colleague or patient. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Visitation: Monday, August 28, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN  46628

Funeral Mass: Monday, August 28, 2023 at 2:30 pm at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 101 Basilica Drive, Notre Dame, IN 46556

Interment with Military Honors: Cedar Grove Cemetery, 1331 N. Notre Dame Avenue, Notre Dame, IN  46556

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Dr. Walter Huurman can be made to the Dr. Walter W. Huurman MD Lectureship in Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation, 8404 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 650, Omaha, NE 68114.

Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN is handling arrangements. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

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