Walter H. Warrick, former CBPA professor of 22 years, passed away peacefully at his home in Annapolis, Md., on Tuesday, Nov. 1, after 96 wonderful years filled with boundless curiosity. He was not only a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, but also a professional educator, talented craftsman, historian, and petroleum engineer. He enjoyed many valued friendships along the way.
Born in 1926, he was raised during the Great Depression in South Bend, Indiana. After more than two years at Purdue University, he was drafted into the Army in the midst of WW II. He rose to the rank of sergeant within a year, and was recommended for the Soldier’s Medal for rescuing one of his men from drowning.
After WW II, he completed his Bachelor’s at Purdue, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, and was hired into Venezuela to embark on a career in the “oil patch.”
During that time, he met his beloved wife. As his family grew, he returned to the U.S. to earn his Master’s and Ph.D. at his alma mater. He moved into academia, receiving recognition for excellence in teaching on the faculty of major universities. He ultimately held an endowed chair in the College of Business & Public Administration at Drake University.
Warrick relished the opportunity to teach undergraduate and graduate students from all over the world at Drake for 22 years. He took great pleasure engaging and enlightening students through his active, Socratic style in the classroom. He was similarly honored and inspired by the interactions he enjoyed with his professional colleagues. He won the University’s 1976–1977 and the College of Business & Public Administration’s 1991–1992 Outstanding Teaching Awards, and he was integrally involved in the original design of the teaching spaces at Aliber Hall.
Retirement and relocation to Annapolis gave him the opportunity to become a skilled Model Shipwright at the U.S. Naval Academy Museum’s Ship Model Shop and excelled in carving figures of sailors during the age of sail. He particularly appreciated the camaraderie of working with fellow craftsmen.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn, of nearly 68 years, children Philip (wife Susan), Jane, and Peter, and grandchildren Thomas (wife Alexis), Robert, William, and Josephine. He was proud that they include six Drake graduates over three generations.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to the Dr. Walter H. & Mrs. Kathryn A. Warrick Scholarship Fund at Drake University. Checks should be sent to Drake University, 2507 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311.
Friends are invited to celebrate his life with a visitation on Wednesday, November 16 from 3 to 5 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Also, a Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, November 17 at 10 am at Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 Rowe Blvd, Annapolis, MD. The interment will be private.