Walter W. Root, M.D. MBA

Walter W. Root, M.D., MBA, age 59, passed away on May 31, 2016, in San Antonio, after a courageous battle with ALS. Dr. Root received his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh where he met his loving wife of 38 years, Debra. He then successfully navigated a career in marketing serving as an Internal Consultant for the Ford Motor Company, Director of Marketing for Frito Lay, and Vice President of Marketing for Mission Foods and Metz Baking Company. While serving as Marketing Director for Frito Lay, he convinced the company not to discontinue the Rold Gold Pretzel line and to allow him to re-design and re-market the product. In 1998, Dr. Root decided to return to college and receive a medical degree from the University of California at San Diego. He then completed his residency in Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern. In 2011, Dr. Root opened his own practice in the Stone Oak area where he was admired by both patients and colleagues.

He was profiled in the August/September 2011 issue of San Antonio Man and was a featured speaker with General Barry McCaffrey on Drug Relapse Prevention. He was a Past President of the Bexar County Psychiatric Society (2012 to 2015), Chair for TMA's Young Physicians (2014), and was the only psychiatrist graduate of the 2013 Texas Medical Association's Leadership College.

Dr. Root loved to travel and spend time with his family, and he desired to live life without any regrets. He is survived by his wife, Debra; son, Bradley Root and his wife Shannon; daughter, Megan Wilkerson and her husband Greg; and 5 Grandchildren: Caitlin and Jonathan Root, and Kendal, Andrew, and Brooke Wilkerson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association of Texas (ALSTexas.org) or to the scholarship fund at the St Thomas Episcopal School, 1416 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232.