Lafayette New York’s Dr. Walter Gilsdorf Dies Age 88

Walter T. Gilsdorf, from Lafayette, New York, and former member of the New York State Board for Professional Medical Conduct, passed away in Ashburn, Virginia, on May 6, 2022, at the age of 88.

Gilsdorf, who was born on April 10, 1934, graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1959, did a surgical residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics between 1960 and 1962 and also at SUNY Upstate Medical University in 1965.

He was the firstborn child of Walter and Esther Gilsdorf. They had four children.

Dr. Gilsdorf spent the majority of his career serving his community in Lafayette, New York. In addition to his orthopedic practice, Dr. Gilsdorf also served on Lafayette, New York’s School Board and was a member of the Lafayette Optimist Club whose mission is to serve their community and to make a difference to every person they meet.

Those closest to him said that Dr. Gilsdorf’s approach to life could be summed up as: “work hard, play hard, learn hard and revel in life’s challenges and joys.” He put everything he had into everything he did.

For play, he enjoyed spending summers on Lake Ontario boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and spending time with family and friends. He also enjoyed skiing, hiking, and adventuring into new territory, and was a skilled woodcarver with a passion for highly detailed decoy carvings.

In his obituary, his family wrote, “Walter left an impressive footprint in this world that will always be remembered and cherished by many.”

Gilsdorf is survived by his wife of 60 years Barbara Gilsdorf, as well as his children, Jeffrey Gilsdorf and Jennifer LoProto; his brothers, Jim Gilsdorf, John, Gilsdorf, and Bob Gilsdorf and his six grandchildren, Maclain Gilsdorf, Makenna Gilsdorf, Colin Gilsdorf, Aiden Gilsdorf, Alyssa LoProto and Emily LoProto.