(June 11, 2009) - Dr. Emerson C. Walden Sr., 85, was memorialized June 9 at Baltimore’s Bethel AME Church. Born in Cambridge, Md., the second of three children to the Rev. Charles E. and Lillian Walden, he grew up in Washington, D.C. and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1940. Dr. Walden attended Howard University where he majored in chemistry and journalism and became editor of the university newspaper, The Hilltop.
After graduating from Howard’s College of Medicine in 1947, Dr. Walden completed his internship and residency at Provident Hospital of Baltimore, where he later served as chief of surgery in the 1960s. In 1965, he was the first African American to serve on staff at Lutheran Hospital, an attending surgeon at South Baltimore General and Johns Hopkins hospitals.While serving as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, he became chief of surgical services at Mitchell Air Base hospital in Long Island, N.Y.
During his 62-year medical career, Dr. Walden was elected president of the Maryland Medical Association, vice president of the Monumental City Medical Society, chairman of National Medical Association (NMA) Board of Trustees, NMA president, House of Delegate member from Baltimore to the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the state of Maryland, and on the University of Maryland Board of Regents.
He served as a consultant to the White House Conference on Hunger and Nutrition, the President’s Conference of Medical Care Costs and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Division of Physician Manpower.
A prolific writer, Dr. Walden believed in giving back to his community in both Baltimore and Columbia. He was a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and charter member of its Columbia graduate chapter, 33rd degree life member of Masonic Order (F&AM) King David Lodge #18 and Big Brothers of America.
A major contributor to the restoration of the Ellicott City Colored School and presiding elder of the Council of Elders of the Black community of Howard County, he actively participated in advocacy projects designed to uplift county youth, especially African Americans.
This man for all seasons transitions to be with the ancestors and leaves to cherish his memory and his works, his devoted wife of 63 years, Celonia B.; sons, Dr. Emerson C. Walden Jr. and wife Nancy; Dr. Thomas E. Walden Sr. and wife Deborah; daughter, Celonia A. Walden; two grandchildren, Thomas Jr. and Angela, and a host of other relatives, colleagues and friends.