Walter Laude

Walter E.H. Laude, 92

On December 5, 2016, Dr. Walter Laude, MD, died peacefully at his home in Babson Park, surrounded by his five children.

He was born in Heiligenbeil, East Prussia in 1924. After studying medicine at the University of Hamburg, he worked in neurosurgery. He was a lifelong devoted member of the medical profession.

When he came to the United States, he received additional training in anesthesiology, while interning at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, Virginia. Dr. Laude then trained at the Cleveland Clinic, where he became chief resident in anesthesia and published papers on anesthesia and hypnosis. He was on the anesthesia team for the first open heart surgery performed at the Clinic and was a Fellow of the American College of Anesthesiology. In Cleveland, he met his soul mate, the eternal love of his life, Isabella Chauby.

After marrying in Cleveland, they moved to Richmond, Virginia.  There, Dr. Laude helped organize the Anesthesia Department for the new Richmond Memorial Hospital, pioneered in epidural block anesthesia for deliveries, and served as chief of the department. He also served on the medical staff of Grace and Retreat Hospitals and was founding medical staff member of St. Mary’s Hospital.  He is an Honorary Life Member of the Richmond Academy of Medicine and Medical Society of Virginia.

In 1972, Dr. Laude, Isabella, and their five children moved to Lake Wales, a town without an anesthesiologist. He created and led the first Anesthesiology Department at Lake Wales Hospital and was instrumental in forming the first Ambulatory Surgery Unit. He is past president of the medical staff and was a member of the Board of Trustees when the hospital celebrated its 50 ^th Anniversary. Dr. Laude also served on the staff of Heart of Florida Hospital in Haines City and Morrow Memorial in Auburndale. He was a member of the International Anesthesia Research Society, the Polk County Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and is a Life Member of the Florida Medical Association, Southern Medical Association, and United States Air Force Association.

In retirement, he and Isabella generously donated their time and efforts to the Florida Federation of Music Clubs, the National Federation of Music Clubs, the Cleveland Clinic, Polk State College, Bok Tower, Webber College, Colonial Williamsburg, and the Nature Conservancy. The Laudes were founding members of the Lake Wales Arts Council and Life Members of the Florida Federation of Music Clubs and National Federation of Music Clubs.

Dr. Laude loved nature and was an avid apiculturist. He enjoyed managing his pine and orange groves, swam daily, delighted in playing the piano, and was a skilled chess player and Sudoku solver.

As a dedicated physician, father, husband, scholar, and humanitarian, he will be deeply missed.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Isabella.

He is survived by his children, Michael, Cecilia, Monica, Chris and Maria and three grandchildren, Gregory, Ian and Walter Brendan.

Marion Nelson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.