Jerry W. Walker, DDS, MS

Jerry Walker, DDS, MS

August 23, 1935 - July 30, 2023

Dr. Jerry Walker’s gift as a Prosthodontist improved lives for generations and extended far beyond his career.  Nothing excited him more than taking a person with a difficult case and giving them their teeth back, literally. He knew people radiated confidence and positive feelings when they felt good about their teeth. He knew how to make that happen and did so in private practice for 40+ years. His compassion and spirit transcended Dentistry as he inspired his family and those around him to lead interesting lives that were true to themselves.

Born in St. Anthony, Idaho, to a government surveyor and a nurse, he was raised in Utah. Growing up, the hamburger was a constant source of joy and some pride for Jerry. His father, Bill, founded a drive-in restaurant in Brigham City, Utah. Jerry cooked up burgers and ice cream masterpieces there during his school years. He continued to enjoy cheeseburgers throughout his life—not the fancy, trendy kind but the classic drive-in burger; which symbolized his approach to life: simple, quality, genuine, unpretentious and driven by a good value and good values.

After he graduated with a B.S. from Utah State, Jerry was admitted to the Marquette School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He earned his D.D.S. in 1960 and, more importantly, married the love of his life, Marilyn Hiller.

He served three years as an Officer in the U.S. Army. After his service, he moved into private practice in 1963 in suburban Milwaukee. He earned a Master's in Prosthodontics in 1970 and later became a Board Certified Prosthodontist. 

A sought-after specialist, he helped thousands of patients in the Milwaukee area and beyond by teaching locally and lecturing nationally in his specialty of Removable Prosthodontics. For 49 years, he was an Adjunct Clinical Professor in Prosthodontics at the Marquette School of Dentistry. His early work providing dentistry for the Sisters of Saint Francis Assisi in Milwaukee evolved into a lifetime of friendship with the Sisters.

Athletics and finding different ways to be outdoors remained important to him. Starting with duck and pheasant hunting and trout fishing in his youth; extending to skiing at Alta and Snowbird in Utah; board sailing on Lake Michigan and Aruba; kayaking on waterways across the Midwest; and hiking with his wife and children in the Midwest, and the mountains whenever there was an opportunity.

For a man from a small town, he and his devoted and adventurous wife, Marilyn, became constant travelers. Over the decades, they visited virtually every state in the union, rarely missing a historic monument. They visited 5 continents and 100s of regions to explore local culture. He enjoyed the cathedrals and museums, yes, but the highlights were often the chocolate shops and local pastries.

In retirement, he constantly volunteered. He provided free dental work for 5 years at the Madre Angela Dental Clinic on Milwaukee’s South Side and assisted in an MPS school for seven years. He always had time for the people in the family and extended family to lend an ear and often said he believed in oral therapy and that if you could just talk it out, you’d have a chance to resolve things. Jerry was much involved in the lives of his grandkids, enjoying weekends in the yard and many adventurous trips.

During his last week, he was surrounded by three generations of family and managed to enjoy a cheeseburger one day and an ice cream the next.  Dr. Jerry Walker died Sunday, July 30th, in his sleep from complications of late-stage cancer and chronic kidney failure.

Pre-deceased by his parents, Bill and Farrel Walker, and his older brother, Dick Walker of Salt Lake City, Utah. He is survived by Marilyn Walker, his wife of 64 years; four children, Jeff Walker (Chelli), Todd Walker (Chun Hong), Chris Walker (Van) and Jill Haberman (Steven); grandchildren Xanthia Walker (Shane), Alex Walker (Kate), Ben Vandenberg (Ally), Lucy Walker and Natalie Walker-Taylor (Derek); great-grandchildren Beck Taylor, Charlotte Taylor, Allison Walker-Yohay and  Archie Walker imminent; and many nieces and nephews who reside in the Midwest and Western regions.

A private memorial service with interment at Holy Cross Cemetery will be held for Jerry. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Marquette University School of Dentistry or The Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi.

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