Francis "Bucky" Walter Jr.

Francis Marion “Bucky” Walter Jr.

Francis
Marion "Bucky" Walter, Jr. who served as Dean of Students at the Kirksville college of Osteopathic Medicine (now a
part of A. T. Still University of the
Health Sciences) for over 30 years died on August 24, 2013. Born in Putnam County at Mendota, Missouri on March 5, 1922, he
was the son of Lula Ann and Francis Marion Walter, Sr. On August 7, 1943 he was
united in marriage to Georgia Ann
Warner. They just celebrated their 70th anniversary.

He is survived by his wife Georgia; his
daughter, Cynthia Anne Willcox and husband
Stephen of Lancaster, Missouri; his son, Gregory Dean Walter and wife Leisa of Kirksville; and six grandchildren; Laura
Elizabeth Jacobs and husband Ty of
Columbia: Mark Stephen Willcox and wife Krystal of Kirksville; Julia Frances Willcox of Los Angeles, California; Amy Louise Garr and
husband Mark of Lancaster; Lydia Nicole Flennory and husband
John of Kirksville; Sarah Ann Perdue of Des
Moines, Iowa; and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Ralph and sister, Ruth
Dinsmore.

Bucky
went to public schools in the state of Iowa and was graduated from the Fremont, Iowa, High School in 1940. He attended William
Penn College and Northeast Missouri State Teachers College
(now Truman State University) from which he received a Bachelor
of Science Degree in 1948 and a Masters of Arts in Education Administration in 1951. He was a member of Phi Sigma
Epsilon fraternity, Blue Key honorary service fraternity, the Student
Council, and the Historical Society. He did
post graduate work at the University of Northern Colorado and the University of
Iowa where he was selected to membership in Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary educational fraternity.

In 1942
and 1943 Bucky served in the Army Reserve College Officer Training Program and entered active service in the T/5 HQ Battery
1st Cavalry Division Artillery. He was stationed at Aberdeen
Proving Grounds, Maryland, Camp Hood,
Texas, and in Japan during the occupation.

Bucky
taught at Canton High School in Canton, Missouri, then served as principal of Shelbyville Public Schools,
Shelbyville, Missouri. In 1952 he became associated with the Kirksville College of Osteopathy and Surgery where
he served as College Librarian,
Director of Admissions, and Assistant Dean. In 1961 he was named Dean of Students and served in that
capacity until his retirement in June 1986. At the time of his retirement he
was granted the honorary degree, Doctor
of Osteopathic Education.

Dean
Walter served as chairman of the Council of Deans of the American Association
of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. Among the many honors he received were the "Outstanding Service
Commendation" from KCOM, a "Special
Commendation" for thirty years of service, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine special "Dean of
Deans of Students Award", the
"Outstanding Service Award" from the Missouri Association of
Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, the Kirksville
Osteopathic Alumni Association "Living Tribute" award, and a
student scholarship was established in his name.

In
civic affairs, Dean Walter served as secretary, vice-president, and president
of the Kirksville Kiwanis Club. He also served
as president of the Kirksville Country Club.
He was a former member of the Kirksville Jaycees, the Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the executive committee of the
Adair County chapter of the American Red Cross. He served
as chairman of the Adair County United Fund Campaign and for several years was
a member of its Board of Directors. He was a member of the Board of
Directors of the local Cerebral Palsy
School Board and served three years as its chairman. He served for 15 years
on the Adair County Selective Service Board and three years as its chairman.

Bucky was a member of the Kirksville Masonic
Lodge, El Kadir Shrine Club, Kirksville Saddle
Club, and the Rebel's Cove Historical Society. He belonged to the First Presbyterian Church serving as a member of the
Board of Elders, Board of Deacons, and as a Sunday school teacher.

Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday (August 29, 2013) at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with
Reverend Michael McCormack officiating. Burial will be in Highland Park
Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Laura Jacobs, Mark Willcox,
Julie Willcox, Amy Garr, Mark Garr and Lydia Flennory. Honorary bearers will be
Richard Mercer, Harvey Young, Bud Elam, Stanley Bohon, Don Hudson, Rex
Dinsmore, Bill Matthew, Bob Reed, Brownie Veatch, Jack McGruder and Ron Gaber.

Visitation with the family will be from 6:00
to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday with a Masonic service to be held at 6:00 p.m. at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home

2100 E. Shepherd Ave.

Kirksville, MO 63501  660-665-2233

Those who wish to express their sympathy in
the form of a contribution may do so to
the Francis M. "Bucky" Walter Scholarship at ATSU. Contributions may
be left at the funeral home or ATSU.

"That's it! It was a short and
happy life."