Gerald R. 'Jack' Walters

GERALD R. "JACK" WALTERS

Iowa City

Gerald R. "Jack" Walters, 102, lifelong resident of Iowa City, died Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, with burial to follow at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to the First United Methodist Church of Iowa City. To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family, please visit the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com.

Jack was born Oct. 22, 1916, in Iowa City, the son of Luke and Hilda (Zahs) Walters. He married Beatrice M. Griffith on June 4, 1939, in Iowa City. In 1936, he graduated from Iowa City High School. After attending the University of Iowa, he worked for the University of Iowa College of Medicine for many years, designing and building research equipment. In 1956, he designed and built the first heart-lung machine used at the University of Iowa Hospitals for cardiovascular surgery, before heart-lung machines were developed.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Chapter 29 of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and the Iowa City Noon Optimist Club. As a member of the Optimist Club, he held the office of president of the local chapter, followed by the offices of lieutenant governor and governor at the state levels. He also was named Optimist of the Year in 1975.

After retirement, Jack enjoyed woodworking, building many different styles of clocks, including grandfather clocks from walnut wood. He did extensive traveling, including a trip around the world.

His family includes his daughter, Susan Walters; two grandchildren, Christopher Innanen (Jody) and Stephanie Innanen Segall (Dan); and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bea; daughter and her husband, Donna and Bill Innanen; and his sister and her husband, Louise and Charles Brown.