Walter Howard Brott

Walter Howard Brott, MD, FACS, Colonel US Army (Retired) Walter, a pioneer heart surgeon, artist, and grandfather extraordinaire, passed away on March 22, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee, at the age of 91. Born in 1933 in Alamosa, Colorado, to Rev. Walter Hugo Brott and Viola Helen Brott (Roscher), his family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, during World War II where his father was a service chaplain and later a hospital chaplain. After graduating from Central High School in 1951, Walter attended Yale University on a Victor Wilson scholarship and graduated in 1955. Upon graduation from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1959, he entered the US Army as an Intern at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He became board certified in General Surgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery. Walter was so proud to serve our country. During 23 years in the Army, he achieved the rank of colonel with multiple assignments in the U.S. and abroad, including Germany and Vietnam, where he was Commander of the Third Surgical Hospital and the 18th Surgical Hospital. He became Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, head of the Heart Lung Surgery Training Program, first director of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Division of the Hébert USUHS Medical School, Chief Surgical Consultant to the Surgeon General of the Army, and he served on the board of governors of the American College of Surgeons. For his outstanding military service Walter received two Legion of Merit Medals, a Bronze Star, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, an Army Service Ribbon, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and a Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars. When Walter retired from the Army in 1982, he joined the University Heart Surgeons Group at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, where he performed over 2,000 surgeries. Walter retired in 1993 after having heart surgery himself. Walter was an artist with a strong interest in medical illustration. He published over 25 papers and chaired the editorial board of the NATO Emergency War Surgery Handbook. He co-authored “A Medical Pilgrimage” with his longtime friend Cardiologist Julius L. Bedynek, Jr., M.D., Ph.D. Walter was a member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons, and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Walter’s guiding values were his Christian faith and his family. He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. He dedicated his life to healing people. Walter not only treated his patients but also spent time getting to know them and praying with them. Valuing mission work, he facilitated medical care for the local Vietnamese people, and he worked with the Native Americans in Oklahoma. His favorite activity in retirement was attending every baptism, first communion, confirmation, graduation, and wedding of his twelve grandchildren. He loved to tell a story, and hopefully he is catching up on those with beloved relatives in Heaven. He will surely be missed! Walter was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Viola Brott, his sister Carolyn Leininger, and her husband Robert. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Marie Helen Brott (Kuzniewska); his three children: Cheryl Newell (John) of Altadena, California, Michelle O’Connell (Scott) of Rockville, Maryland, and Kevin Brott, DVM (Melissa) of Knoxville, Tennessee; twelve grandchildren: Craig, Benjamin (Madison), Dr. Nathan Brott, and Samuel Brott; Shannon Price (Dema), Brendan, Ryan (Erica), and Patrick O’Connell; Peter, August, Gracie, and Jack Newell; and one great grand-daughter: Maxine Brott. Burial service will take place at Arlington National Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com.

Tributes

Walter Howard Brott

March 22, 2025