October 2, 2021
Our friend and colleague, Dr. Denis Walsh, passed away Saturday, October 2, 2021, at the age of 80 after a lengthy illness. He is a past Institute member and instructor, and past Society member.
A memorial service will follow at a later date.
Dr. Walsh is survived by his wife, Judie of Ann Arbor, his daughter Kelley (Duncan) White of Scottsdale, Arizona, his son Sean Walsh (Kim Huston) of Huntington Woods, Michigan, six grandchildren and one sister, Margaret Walsh. He is preceded in death by his son, Christopher John Walsh, his mother and father, two sisters and two brothers.
Walsh , Dr. Denis E. 6/9/1941 – 10/2/2021 Ann Arbor Dr. Denis Edward Walsh, 80, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away on October 2, 2021. He was a loving father and husband, accomplished physician and a military veteran. Dr. Walsh was born in 1941 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He remained in Iowa during his childhood but went on to high school at Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. At Campion, Dr. Walsh was an accomplished athlete in both basketball and baseball and graduated as valedictorian in 1959. Following high school, Dr. Walsh completed his undergraduate degree at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating cum laude in 1963. While at Marquette he met and married Judie, his loving wife of 58 years. Dr. Walsh continued his education at Marquette University, graduating first in his medical school class in 1967. He went on to Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, Texas, completing his medical internship in 1968. After completing his internship, Dr. Walsh served in the U.S. Air Force at Otis Air Force Base in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, receiving an honorable discharge as Captain in 1970. Following his discharge from the Air Force, Dr. Walsh settled with his family in Ann Arbor, Michigan and pursued his career in psychiatry. He completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of Michigan in 1973. Dr. Walsh was devoted to his specialty and his patients and pursued further training in psychotherapy. He was a member of the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute, the American Psychoanalytic Association and the International Psychoanalytic Association. Dr. Walsh was also a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the National Jesuit Honor Society and Alpha Omega Alpha, the Medical Honor Society. Dr. Walsh wasn’t just a great student and accomplished physician – He was a fun guy with a great sense of humor. He had great friends from his medical school class that he remained close to all his life. He also loved skiing and music, often combining the two belting out a loud rendition of Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer” coming down Vail Mountain. He was an avid fitness fan long before it was popular. He was the guy running around the streets of Ann Arbor way back in 1970 and would even sneak in a run up and down the stairs at Tower Plaza in between patients. He enjoyed golfing with his wife and friends at Barton Hills Country Club, and he was rooting for the Green Bay Packers and the Michigan Wolverines every weekend. He also enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
I miss Denis. He was a warm friendly person. He always inquired about how I was doing as well as my family. I regret that our paths did not cross much professionally. With hindsight I regret this.