Walter Hugo Reichert

Walter grew up as the second of five children. He attended East High School and the University of Utah where he earned a bachelor’s degree and an M.D. degree. After medical school, he pursued further medical training in St. Louis, Missouri and New York, New York, eventually becoming a neurologist. Ever curious, he also worked as a researcher at the National Institute of Health for two years. In 1982, he returned to Utah with his wife, Deborah, where they raised three sons and where he practiced medicine for the rest of his life.

Family formed the center of his life. As a child, Walter worked at gas stations run by his father, and he spoke fondly of family road trips across the United States. He enjoyed visiting his uncle’s cabin near Bear Lake for water skiing and sailing. He loved to tell jokes with his wife, and in turn, she made him laugh very often. As a father, he taught by example, emphasizing a zeal for life and a hard work ethic.

The practice of medicine was deeply important to Walter. Above all, he was devoted to his patients, serving some of them for decades. On several occasions, his family members would be approached by his patients. Over and over, they would repeat: Dr. Reichert is kind, compassionate, and funny; he is knowledgeable and thorough; I am lucky to be in his care. In addition, Walter loved to learn, as much about the human body as about his patients’ lives.

Walter found tremendous joy through skiing, cycling, and photography. He learned to ski from his Uncle Lou and spent countless hours on the slopes with his family and friends. In the summers, he rode his road bike up and down the canyons lining the Wasatch Front. Landscape photography filled up much of his free time, and he relished the challenge of making art.

Walter is survived by his wife of 45 years, Deborah, three sons, Adam, David, and Daniel, three daughters-in-law, Wen-Ting, Minna, and Jen, two grandchildren, Madeleine and Julius, and four siblings, Carolyn, Kathleen, Stan, and Colleen.

Walter was laid to rest in a private ceremony at the B’Nai Israel Cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah.