THE VOLGA GERMANS IN PORTLAND
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People > Notables > Walt Kirsch

Walt Kirsch

Walter Richard Kirsch was born in Portland on October 27, 1927, the son of Gustav J. Kirsch and Rachel Helser. His mother Rachel is the daughter of Heinrich H. (born 1868) and Katherine Helser (born 1873) and a sibling of Hank, Morrie, and Roy Helser - all standout athletes. 
Picture
Walt grew up in N.E. Portland, graduating from Jefferson High School. After graduation, he attended the University of Oregon on a four-year baseball scholarship where his brother Don Kirsch served as head coach. Walt was selected as a three-time member of the All-Star Team as the Top Second Baseman for the Pacific-8 Northern Division. Another brother, Jim Kirsch, also played football for the Ducks.

Walt was a member of the Phi Delta fraternity. During his freshman year he met Mary Joy Ham in typing class and five years later they were married. Both graduated with a business degree. When the Korean War began, Walt joined the 403rd Troop Carrier Wing, a reserve unit based at the Portland Military Airbase. He later returned to higher education attending Portland State University and the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry, graduating with his doctorate in 1958.

Walt and Dr. Ron Wismer built their own dental offices in Beaverton and had a successful practice for many years.

Dr. Walter Richard Kirsch died on March 31, 2021.

Sources

Obituary for Dr. Walter Richard "Walt" Kirsch. The Oregonian, April, 6, 2021
Last updated April 10, 2021.
Copyright © 1998-2023 Steven H. Schreiber
  • Home
    • About This Website
    • Reviews
  • History
    • Historical Timeline
    • Migration to Russia
    • Emigration from Russia
    • Settlement in America
    • Migration to Portland
    • Little Russia
    • A Short History of Albina
    • World War I
    • The Volga Relief Society >
      • Portland Volga Relief Society Subscribers 1921
    • World War II
    • Assimilation and Dispersion
  • Beliefs
    • Churches >
      • Albina Seventh-day Adventist Church
      • First United Mennonite Baptist Church
      • Ebenezer German Congregational Church
      • Free Evangelical Brethren Church >
        • German Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church
      • Second German Baptist Church
      • St. Pauls Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • Second German Congregational Church >
        • Evangelical Congregational Church
      • Zion German Congregational Church >
        • Rivercrest Community Church
    • Pastors
    • The Brethren
    • Denominations >
      • German Reformed Church
      • German Evangelical Synod of North America
      • Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • German Congregational Church
      • Seventh-day Adventists
      • United Church of Christ
  • People
    • Our People
    • Notables
    • Pioneers 1881-1892
    • Stories
    • Photographs
    • Help Identify These People
  • Community
    • Characteristics
    • Businesses >
      • Bakeries Retailers and Services
      • Garbage Haulers
      • Grocery and Meat Markets
      • Restaurants >
        • Helsers on Alberta
        • McCormick & Schmicks
        • Wildwood
      • Saloons and Taverns
      • Suppliers and Manufacturers
    • Employers
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Maps
    • Documentary
  • Traditions
    • Foods
    • Folk Medicine
    • Expressions
    • Weddings
    • Holidays
    • Folk Music
    • Funerals and Burial Sites
  • Resources
    • Family Research
    • Books and Video
    • Works Cited