Walter L Ogden, M.D. Obituary (1944

Walter Lott Ogden passed away peacefully in his home in Washington, Utah, on January 30, 2025, from complications of dementia, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Riverside, California, on February 27, 1944, to Mary Lott Ogden and Walter R. Ogden, M.D., Walt and his four sisters were raised in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. Walt enjoyed summers with his grandparents and cousins in Richfield and Marysvale Canyon, Utah. Walt was always happy, positive, naturally social, and energetic. From the time Walt was 5 years old, he and his sisters trained in swimming, diving, trampoline, tumbling, and gymnastics. This rigorous training taught him that HE COULD DO HARD THINGS, laying a foundation for his success throughout life. By the age of 6, Walt was swimming competitively, which he continued through college and later in life. In junior high, Walt excelled in tumbling, gymnastics, church basketball, city league football, softball, and pole vaulting, and he was elected Boys' League President. In high school, he swam for his school's team, receiving awards like "Most Inspirational" and "Most Valuable Swimmer." The summer before his senior year, Walt and three other swimmers set a National Record in a swimming relay. Walt set many school records and earned medals in the CIF finals all three years, and as a senior, he placed first in the state of California in the Individual Medley. Walt graduated from John Burroughs High School in 1961. At Utah State University, Walt swam and dived for three years, winning many events, setting several school records and serving as Team Captain. Encouraged by his father, Walt decided to pursue a career in medicine. Transferring to the University of Utah, he finally began to work and excel in his studies. At this time, Walt also developed a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and became devoted as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the University of Utah, Walt met Tina Simonsen, and from the beginning he realized this relationship was special. His senior year, Walt balanced academics, SAE fraternity life, dating Tina, coaching and competing in diving for the University; he won most of his diving meets and earned straight A's for the first time in his life! He was even awarded a scholarship for outstanding scholastic achievement. When Walt received his Patriarchal Blessing, it was a transformative experience for him; he was told he would receive his degree with honor, marry in the Temple, and become a physician. Just one month later, Walt graduated Cum Laude with a Zoology degree, then married Christine "Tina" Simonsen in the Los Angeles Temple on July 15, 1966. Despite graduating with honors, Walt faced multiple rounds of rejections from several medical schools. But after earning a Master’s Degree in Genetics at UC Davis and nearing a Ph.D., he was finally accepted into the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. In August 1969, Walt, Tina, and their toddler Tahne moved to Mexico. Walt excelled despite the language barrier; after only one year, he passed the national boards in the USA and was deeply grateful for the opportunity to transfer to the University of Missouri School of Medicine (only 2 were chosen, out of 80 applicants). Ryan was born in Missouri while Walt was in medical school, and Walt earned his M.D. in 1973. Walt recognized that God had provided a way for him to enter medical school despite his multiple rejections; he saw this as a gift of Divine Intervention in his life, and he gratefully decided to use this opportunity to bless others. Specializing in Family Practice, Walt completed his residency at Kaiser Permanente in Hollywood, California, where Britin was born. He then practiced medicine for 35 years in Fullerton, La Habra and Brea, serving as Chief of Staff at La Habra Hospital in 1981. His family continued to grow as Brandon and Megan were born when they lived in Fullerton, and Taylor was born after the family moved to Orange. A beautiful opportunity appeared when a longtime patient with an unexpected positive pregnancy test asked Dr. Ogden if he and his wife would consider adopting her twins from the moment of their births, and Walt and Tina jumped at this chance; Tasha and Tessa completed the family with a grand total of 8 children. This began the family's story of an open adoption, with ongoing relationships with the birth parents and their extended families. Walt grounded his children’s lives in faith, service, hard work, and fun family vacations. He was a supportive father who attended games, meets, and school events. His children grew up watching him practice medicine often at home: giving medical help to family and friends, stitching up injuries on the family room table, delivering a baby in his home for a friend who had no insurance, and always refusing payment for home-medical services. Walt just enjoyed the chance to help others, and he was always happy to be called "Walt" instead of “Dr. Ogden.” In his late 40s, Walt returned to competitive diving, winning over 20 National Masters Diving titles and setting American and World Records that stood for over a decade. He also competed in and won Masters Swimming events into his 70s. After retiring in 2008, Walt, Tina, Tasha and Tessa moved to St. George, Utah, where Walt returned to working as a physician in the Hurricane Family Clinic, at the ISC Clinic at Sun River and with Integrated Medical Services. Additionally, he happily volunteered in the Doctors' Volunteer Clinic, gave humanitarian aid in Haiti in the days immediately after the 2010 earthquake, served in the Temple weekly, rode his bike up Airport Hill to stay in shape, stockpiled an abundance of emergency supplies to use and share with others (in his huge trailer known as “The Ark”), and encouraged all to be physically prepared for an emergency and spiritually prepared to meet God. Walt’s legacy as a physician, healer and faithful servant touched thousands of lives. Referring to his miraculous acceptance to medical school, he often said, “I have been given a gift, and I intend to use that gift every day until I die.” True to his word, he continued to practice medicine until dementia required his retirement, and he remained happy, optimistic and grateful every day of his life. Walt is survived by his wife, Tina; their eight children, Tahne (Carey), Ryan (Annette), Britin (Aaron), Brandon, Megan (Nathan), Taylor (Sandra), Tasha, and Tessa (Nakoma); 24 grandchildren, one great-grandchild; and two sisters, Sally and Kathy (Tom). Walt was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Walter R. Ogden and Mary Lott Ogden; two sisters, Marsha Saylors and Sue Simms; and two brothers-in-law, Bill Saylors and Michael Edmunds. A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 AM at 450 W 3650 South in Washington, Utah (services will be live-streamed via ZOOM and recorded for online viewing). A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the cemetery in Richfield, Utah. Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SerenityStG.com. Arrangements and memorial tree planting under the direction of Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, (435) 986-9100.