A Tribute to the Legacy and Generosity of Dr. Walter Davisson ‘58
Although Walter Davisson had many bright contemporaries, many remember him as being the smartest one in his class. That distinction is even more remarkable considering Walter was also the youngest in his class, having skipped first grade and finishing college in three years.
Walter was known to be generous with his ability. He rode the city bus to SLUH daily with a freshman who struggled with Latin and worked with the student on those daily commutes until the young man mastered the language. Walter revered his Jesuit education and could quote Greek and knew Latin, almost fluently, even as an octogenarian.
After completing medical school and service in the United States Army, Walter lived and worked in Jefferson City, Missouri for 30 years as an ophthalmologist in private practice. He relished the short commute to his office and the family farm where he cut hay, raised horses and generally played at being a farmer. Walter loved his ophthalmology patients and readily accepted their gifts of crawdads, homegrown tomatoes, zucchini and canned goods, as well as advice on hunting and fishing.
Education was a hallmark of Walter’s life and his legacy. Walter’s parents sacrificed to send him to Catholic schools and his achievements at SLUH allowed him to earn a full scholarship to Saint Louis University as an undergraduate.
“His years at SLUH were formative and lived with him his entire life," recounts his wife, Sharon. “His mantra was ‘give back for your education.’ That was his guiding principle. That is what put food on the table, and he never forgot it.”
Walter and Sharon endowed scholarships in honor of their parents at St. Louis University High School, Nerinx Hall High School and Saint Louis University Chaifetz School of Business.
St. Louis University High School is proud to honor alumnus Dr. Walter F. Davisson ’58, whose membership in the Backer Heritage Society (those who have included SLUH in their estate plans) represents a lifetime of devotion to the school. Walter served on the SLUH Endowment and Investment Committee as well as the Imagining 18 strategic planning committee. He passed away in July 2022.
Future generations of SLUH students will receive financial aid assistance thanks to Walter and Sharon’s commitment to giving back to education through endowed scholarship. The Davisson legacy endures at St. Louis University High School.
You, like Walter and Sharon, can create a legacy that will directly impact SLUH students. Please contact Linda Domeyer at (314) 269-2113 ldomeyer@sluh.org to learn more.