Dr Walter David Rye

He was born on April 2, 1954 to Walter A. and Barbara E. Rye of Aberdeen, Washington; the family moved to the Olympia area in 1958. Walter attended Tumwater schools, graduating from Tumwater High School in 1972. He attended the University of Washington for undergraduate studies before being accepted into the Dental School at the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1981. Pursuing his lifelong dream he was then accepted to the Orthodontic program at the University of Washington where he earned his Masters of Dental Science in 1983.

In order to pay off student loan debt, he then joined the US Air Force and served as a Captain at the Regional Medical Center in Wiesbaden, Germany, from 1983 to 1986. Living and traveling in Europe was a dream come true.

After his military service, he worked as an orthodontist in private practices in Denver, Colorado and Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1994, he had an opportunity to move back to the Pacific Northwest working for Willamette Dental Group in Olympia, Washington. He worked there for 17 years and truly loved his profession. He enjoyed giving people something that could be life altering: a beautiful smile.

He was a lifelong learner, consuming books and expanding his knowledge. He had a keen intellect, a dry sense of humor, was a proud, yet humble man. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Amy and sons, Captain Erik C. Rye, USMC (Andrea) of Severna Park, Maryland and David K. Rye of Kent, Washington. He is also survived by his sister, Sonja McMurray of Tumwater, Washington; sisters-in-law Carole Yates (Stephen) of Port Townsend, Washington, Mary Webb (Jim) of Cambria, California, Gina Wempe (Jim) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brothers-in-law Joseph Eversole (Diana), of Bremerton, Washington, John Eversole, of Bremerton Washington, Edwin Eversole (Christie) of Parker, Colorado and Christopher Eversole (Diane) of Arlington, Virginia. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in his honor.