Walter G Parsel October 10, 1924 - December 30, 2013
Dr. Walter G. Parsel
Walter Parsel was born in Bucyrus, Ohio on October 10, 1924; he passed away on December 30, 2013. Walt was a veteran of the United States Army where he served as a paratrooper. He attended undergraduate at Kenyon College and medical school at Ohio State University, where he was a rabid Buckeye fan! He completed his internship at LA County Hospital and moved his wife Mary Arnold and three sons to a coal mining region of Virginia. While in Virginia, he established his first private practice and his fourth son, Christopher was born. In 1958 with their savings in coffee cans, they moved back to Southern California. Dr. Parsel established a successful family practice in Newport Beach and a rich partnership with Dr. Dudley Pfaff, which lasted over 35 years. He was also a staff physician at Hoag Memorial Hospital.
Walt was an avid private pilot and airplane owner for many years. Based out of Orange County’s John Wayne Airport, flying was a fundamental part of the Parsel family including weekend ski trips to Mammoth and vacations to visit family and friends in Ohio and Texas. Walt incorporated his love of flying into his medical practice by performing certified FAA flight physicals.
Tragically, Mary died shortly after the family moved back to California. A few years later, Walt met Madine Waltrip, a stewardess on a TWA flight. They married in 1960, and daughter Suzanne was born a year later. Walt and Madine divorced but retained mutual respect and interest in the children and flying.
In 1990 Walt began dating Janice, and after taking things at a “snail’s pace” they finally wed in August 1992 in Newport Harbor.
In addition to his passion for flying, Walt was a fine artist, sculptor and food connoisseur. He loved a rousing game of cards with friends and family.
Walt was predeceased by his wife Mary, sons Christopher and Michael, and brother Jack. He leaves behind his wife Janice, sons Timothy (Lori), David (Beth), daughter Suzanne Parsel Dew, daughter in-law Valentine Parsel (wife of Michael) former son-in-law Dr. Terry Dew. Grandchildren: Danny (Diana), Andrew, Patrick, Tori, and Weston Parsel, Parker and Giffory Dew. Great granddaughters, Chloe and Sydney Parsel and Jan’s children: Kimberly Corrigan, Tracy Dickinson, Kevin Simmons, Cassandra Flemer and nine grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held on March 22, 2014 from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.