Obituary of Walter Lockhart

Dr. Walter S. Lockhart Jr. of Matthews, NC died on Saturday, September 22,2012 at his home in Plantation Estates in Matthews, NC. Dr. Lockhart was born on January 27, 1921 in Durham, NC to the late Walter S. Lockhart, and Florence Green Lockhart of Durham, NC. In addition to his parents, Walter was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Doreen Steele Lockhart, and his sister Florence Lockhart Foster, and stepfather Edward Farmer. Dr. Lockhart was a graduate of Durham High School, Wake Forest College, and the Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After receiving his Medical Degree in 1944, he served eight years of internship and residency, three years at the N.C. Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC and four years at Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT, and one year at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT. He served in the US Army as a Medical Officer for four years, from 1947 to 1948 and 1951 to 1953, attaining the rank of Captain. Dr. Lockhart practiced Neurosurgery at Watts and Durham Regional Hospitals for twenty-three years, from 1956 to 1966 and 1973 to 1986. In between these two periods of private practice, he was an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine, in Miami, FL for four years. Prior to resuming his Durham Neurosurgical practice, Dr. Lockhart was the Associate Medical Director of the Whitaker Rehabilitation Center in Winston-Salem, NC in 1972. Dr. Lockhart was certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, and was a member of the American Neurological Surgeons, and various other medical societies. He served on the Executive Committee of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons from 1964 to 1967, and in 1969 received its distinguished Service Award. In 1979 Dr. Lockhart was elected President of the North Carolina Neurosurgical Society. In 1986 Walter and his wife Doreen retired to Emerald Isle, NC. He was a Rotarian and an Elder in the Cape Carteret Presbyterian Church. Walter was also a member of the Emerald Isle Board of Adjustment eventually serving as its chairman. In 1999 he and Mrs. Lockhart moved to Matthews, NC to enter their retirement home in Plantation Estates. Surviving him are his sons Walter S. Lockhart III and his wife Sarah, of Charlotte, NC and William F. Lockhart and his wife Debbe of Kill Devil Hills, NC; a daughter Patricia King of Asheville, NC; grandchildren Elizabeth, Chelsea, William, Paul, Grant and Mary Kirk; one great-granddaughter Makaiya Davis. Dr. Lockhart is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service to honor his life will be held on Monday, September 24, 2012 at 2:30 PM at Plantation Estates, Matthews, NC. Walter was a man of great integrity, intellect and compassion. He was a generous man who was devoted to his patients throughout his medical career and to his family throughout his entire life. Memorials in his honor may be made to a charity of the donor?s choice. Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service; please share condolences online at www.hankinswhittington.com