Robert Camden Walters passed away on December 18, 2022. He was 99. Born in Paragon, Indiana, on July 21, 1923, he was the son of Clinton Park and Bessie Margaret (Goss) Walters, and was a descendent of two presidents, William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and first governor of Virginia.
As a freshman at Indiana University (IU), he was drafted into the Army in the spring of 1942 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was 19 years old. He served 3 years in the Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, which was among the most important battles of WWII. After their defeat, Germany retreated for the remainder of the war.
In 1945, he married Patricia Routh Park (RN). He returned to IU in 1946 and graduated in 1952 with a DDS degree and developed a private practice.
In 1959, RC joined the USAF as an officer (Capt) and was assigned to Otis AFB, Cape Cod, MA. From 1960-61, he was TDY to Korea and served as the Base Dental Surgeon (BDS). While there, he and a group of officers constructed a recreational golf course, which is still in use today. In 1961-65, while stationed at Gunter AFB, Montgomery, AL, he taught at the Medical Service School (MSS) and was promoted to the rank of (Maj) and earned his single prop pilot license. From 1965-67, he continued teaching for the MSS at Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX where he achieved the rank of (Lt Col). From 1967-71, he was stationed in Washington, D.C. Headquarters USAF, promoted to the rank of (Col) and was part of the MSS. From 1971-72, he was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam where he served as the BDS. From 1972-76, he served as the BDS at Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, LA. From 1976-78, he was part of the Inspector General (IG) team at Norton AFB, San Bernardino, CA of MSS International, which included Alaska, Europe, Central America and the Far East. In 1979, he was stationed at both Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio and Norton AFB as the IG until 1980. That same year, he retired from the military as Col R.C. Walters.
From 1983-87, he was a Professor of Dentistry at IU in Indianapolis. During this time, he enjoyed flying his Cessna on weekends. He later enjoyed several years in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana and Texas with his 5 daughters (the 5J’s) and their families.
He was preceded in death by wife Patricia Jean Routh, brother Henry Willard Walters and sisters Rosemary Weddle & Lillian Snyder.
He’s survived by the 5Js: Jeffra Walters (Kosh) & husband Jon of Montrose, CO, Jayma Walters of Carmel, IND, Janeen Newquist & husband Lee of Fort Worth, TX, Janelle Bedway & husband John of Carmel, IND and Joan Ogle & husband Jon of Carmel, IND; along with 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
A Memorial service is planned for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Myers Mortuary in Lebanon. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.
