Walter Thomas Dolan, Millsboro Pharmacy owner
Walter Thomas Dolan of Millsboro passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at Beebe Healthcare, Lewes.
Born in Joliet, Ill., to Marion Fahrner and Colonel Paul Gerald Dolan, he graduated from the University of Minnesota and entered service through ROTC as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Later, he was stationed in Istanbul and RAF Lakenheath.
Although offered a regular commission, he chose an honorable discharge after attaining the rank of captain in less than three years. He graduated from University of Maryland School of Pharmacy from which he won the Wagner Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Prize, and settled in Millsboro, where he was the proprietor of Millsboro Pharmacy for 41 years until his death. One of his proudest accomplishments was the award-winning accessibility of his pharmacy, and a return to professional service.
He served on the board of the original Mid-Sussex Medical Center, was a past president of the Delaware Pharmaceutical Society, and recipient of the first Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award from Dupont Pharma. On the shore of Bett's Pond, he and his wife reared their three children. Later, he welcomed the chance to nurture his granddaughter, Anne Keiran.
He served on the vestry of St. Mark's Episcopal Church as junior and senior warden. He was a member of Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association, and enjoyed spending time with his family on the water. He was a happily reluctant member of the first volunteer crew of the Kalmar Nyckel. He was an avid outdoorsman who never lost his love of fly-fishing on the Brule River.
He was an incredible font of knowledge about the natural world. He loved ornithology and botany. Possessing an intense curiosity and keen intellect, conversations with Tom were never dull. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Richard and Paul, and his sister Grace.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda Pierce Dolan; his children, Anne Quaintance, John Pierce (Jessica) and James Butler (Jennilee); and his grandchildren Anne Keiran and Thomas Carder. He is also survived by his brother William of Chicago, Ill., his sister Mary Anne of Duluth, Minn., and his brother John David of Casper, Wyo., as well as a multitude of nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Funeral service will be held Friday, April 13, at 11:30 a.m., at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Millsboro. Private interment to follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Millsboro, are appreciated.
Electronic condolences via www.watsonfh.com.
