Walter Benton Tinsley, Jr.

Walter Benton Tinsley Jr. M.D. passed peacefully on Friday morning June 18, 2021. (age 98) Born April 16, 1923 in Indianapolis to Walter and Millie Tinsley, he had two older siblings Katherine and Frank. Walter attended IPS and graduated from Shortridge H.S. in 1941. Growing up in the Mapleton Fall Creek neighborhood he maintained an active, lifelong relationship with Broadway United Methodist Church and belonged to Boy Scout Troop 29 where he developed friendships that lasted to the end of his life. His Scouting experiences ranged from camp cook to attaining Eagle Scout, earning his Woodcrafters and joining Sea Scouts, a precursor of the Explorers.
He attended I.U. Bloomington then served in the U.S. Navy from April, 1944 until the end of the war. Upon his discharge he returned to I.U (B.A., 1948) and continued to I.U. School of Medicine (M.D., 1952).
While a medical resident, he worked at Riley Hospital, met Jean Tompkins of Millington, Tennessee (working there as a bacteriologist) and proposed. They were married September 11, 1954. The couple had three children, Martha, Katherine and Steve.
Walter practiced as a Family Physician in an office shared with his brother Frank on Lafayette Rd. Starting in 1969 he became a full time Anesthesiologist working at Methodist Hospital, retiring in 1988.
Walter was a charter member of the Indianapolis Sailing Club formed on Geist Reservoir in 1955. He served for many years as Club Physician. Owning a Lightning with Paul Vos, a lifelong friend, they raced together for decades with family providing extra crew. Walter raced until he was 85.
Active in fraternal and volunteer organizations including Sigma Chi at IU, Masons, Lions Club, Indiana Council on World Affairs and ScienTech Club, he also provided volunteer medical services at the Genesseret Free Clinic and other locations. He spent considerable time volunteering, promoting and serving on the board of the Medical History Museum located in the old Pathology Building on the former Central State Campus.
When home Walter enjoyed family and gardening—especially the roses, and repairing, refinishing and woodworking which kept him at his workbench for many hours.
Vacations ranged from stays on Lake Michigan, camping in the Smokey Mountains and Colorado and canoeing and fishing in Canada.
After retirement he and Jean’s travel took on a wider scope to include trips to Russia, China, Africa, New Zealand and Europe. He also participated in musical endeavors including playing trombone in a jazz band and singing in a vocal group at Marquette Manor retirement residence.
He will be especially remembered by all who knew him for his compassion, wisdom and dry wit.
Walter was preceded in death by his wife Jean and daughter Katherine. He is survived by his daughter Martha and son Steve, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren (with another on the way).
A memorial service is planned at Broadway United Methodist Church, 609 E 29th St, Indianapolis on July 31st at 2 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to Broadway United Methodist Church or the Indiana Medical History Museum.