In Memoriam

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great regret that we inform you of the death of our colleague, friend, and mentor Walter W. Huurman Jr., MD. Dr. Huurman passed away on August 19, 2023, in Miramar Beach, FL. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lindsay Huurman nee McGuiness; children Sean (Susan) Huurman and Anne (Keith) Burke; grandchildren Patrick, Shannon, and Aidan Huurman and Matthew and Conor Burke. Loving brother of Barbara (Sam) Farah, and Kevin (Janelle) Huurman. Dr. Huurman was a dear uncle, cousin, and friend to many.  

Dr. Huurman was born in 1936 in Rochester, NY. He attended The Aquinas Institute of Rochester High School, received his bachelor’s degree at the University of Notre Dame in 1958, followed by his medical degree at Northwestern University in 1962. Throughout his life, he remained very active in the alumni organizations of both universities, creating scholarships and serving on the alumni boards of both institutions.

He was commissioned as an ensign during his senior year at Northwestern University. After serving his internship at Cook County Hospital, he began his long Naval career by serving as a naval flight surgeon in Vietnam on the USS Hornet. His service to his country spanned over 3 decades, as he was called up from the Naval Reserve in 1990 to serve as the chief of orthopaedic surgery of Fleet Hospital Six during Operation Desert Storm. His experience and leadership greatly enhanced the morale and abilities of the 500-bed hospital. He retired as a captain in 1996.

After his service in the Vietnam War, he completed his orthopaedic residency at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA, in 1971. He then pursued his pediatric training at the AI Du Pont Institute under the tutelage of Dr. Dean MacEwen. Upon completion, he returned to the Naval Hospital Oakland, where he was the staff pediatric orthopaedist from 1973-1977.

Following his service at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, he began to practice as the only full-time pediatric orthopaedic surgeon in the state of Nebraska for approximately 10 years. He was one of the founding members of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He grew the division of pediatric orthopaedic surgery at UNMC as well as at Children’s Hospital. He was a true leader, greatly assisting these institutions to grow from small community hospitals into major regional medical centers. In 2006, he retired as Professor Emeritus of Orthopaedic Surgery and Pediatrics at UNMC.

Dr. Huurman was a great teacher and mentor to innumerable students, resident physicians, and colleagues. He always demonstrated the need to listen closely to the patients and their families and to treat all with respect and dignity. His most important contribution was his insistence that patients and their families were fully informed and their safety was at the forefront of every interaction. His message of always being well-prepared and consistent predated many of the time-outs and safety procedures accepted today as standard.

In addition, he cultivated a culture of mutual respect with his colleagues as well as the nursing staff, which universally saw him as a respected champion. This was accomplished by including everyone in new techniques and advances, ensuring that every child had the best possible quality of life. 

Dr. Huurman was one of the quiet giants in pediatric orthopaedics. He was one of the founding members of the Pediatric Orthopedic Study Group; the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America; and the American Academy of Pediatrics, where he served as the chair of the Section on Orthopaedics. He was a pioneer in segmental instrumentation for scoliosis, treatment of clubfeet, and juvenile hip disorders. He greatly influenced national policy and was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Section on Orthopaedics.

Despite having multiple career commitments, Dr. Huurman always made sure his family knew they were loved, and he was proud of them. He and Lindsay were a wonderful team who always made everyone feel welcome, appreciated, and respected. His dedication to Lindsay, his children, and his faith, was always front and center. His love and pride continued on to his grandchildren.

We will miss this truly honorable gentleman and friend and are grateful for his many contributions to our community, country, and profession. 

Kevin Garvin, MD
Brian Hasley, MD
Glen Ginsburg, MD
Susan Scherl, MD
Paul Esposito, MD

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 28, from 12:00 to 1:30 pm, Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, IN 46628. A funeral mass will follow at 2:30 pm, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 101 Basilica Drive, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Interment with military honors: 100 Cedar Grove Cottage, Notre Dame, IN 46556

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