Dr. Walter Erich Penk, Jr. was born in Houston, TX on August 22, 1933. He passed away peacefully in his home on September 30, 2025 in New Braunfels, TX.

Walter attended the University of Houston from 1951 to 1965 where he received his BA, MA, and PhD in Clinical Psychology. He also attended Concordia Junior College where he earned an Associate of Arts degree in History from 1951 to 1953. After briefly serving as an intern at the Houston Veterans Administration Hospital, he moved to the Dallas VA where he was the very first intern. Over a 20+ year period from 1963 to 1984, he worked his way up to staff member and then research psychologist. Walter served as the Director of Psychology in the Department of Mental Health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from June 1988 to June 1993. He served as the Chief of Psychology in the Psychology Services Department for the Edith Nourse Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Massachusetts from May 1993 to May 2003. Walter served as a Health Services Researcher and Consultant, a Professor at the Texas A&M College of Medicine, and a Consultant at the VA Rehabilitation Research and Education since January 2004. He has been an active Licensed Clinical Psychologist for the State of Texas since 1970 and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1984. Walter was on the Board of Directors for the Texas Psychological Association from 2010 to 2012. Overall, he has served as a Clinical and Research Psychologist at VA Medical Centers in Houston, Dallas, Boston, and Bedford, Massachusetts. He has held faculty appointments at medical schools: Southwestern, Tufts, Boston University, University of Massachusetts, Harvard, and Texas A&M.

Walter is best known for his work as a Clinical and Research Psychologist specializing in treatment and rehabilitation of PTSD and addictions as well as neuropsychological treatment of traumatic brain injuries primarily with military veterans. His work on the psychosocial benefits of employment and education changed the way that the Department of Veterans Affairs and the nation understood and treated post-traumatic stress, first among military veterans and then among civilians by emphasizing the benefits of employment and education for reducing PTSD symptoms. Walter's recognition that stress disorders are an underlying factor in addiction led him to develop innovative psychosocial treatments and rehabilitation procedures which were adopted throughout the VA. During his 60+ year career, his research, leadership, and mentoring impacted millions of American military members, veterans, and their families. Walter generated over 180 publications and numerous honors and awards including the Distinguished Career Award from Veterans Health Administration in 2003,  the Harold Hildreth Award issued by the American Psychologist Association Division 18 in 2006, the Gold Medal for Life Achievement in Practice of Psychology from the American Psychological Foundation in 2015, Texas Senate Resolution Number 96 Issued by Texas State Senate in 2017, the Charles Gersoni Award from American Psychological Association Division 19 in 2017, the Alfred M. Wellner Lifetime Achievement Award for Practice of Psychology from the National Register for Health Services Psychologists in 2018, and the Department of Defense's Spirit of Hope Award in 2023.

Walter was very proud of the work he accomplished in serving this country and was wholly dedicated to serving veterans and their families. Outside of work, Walter had many passions including spending time with family, jogging four miles every day, going to hear the Mid-Texas Symphony, attending the local Knights of Columbus meetings, visiting the Sophienburg Museum, and was an active member in the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE Chapter 672). Walter was a loving husband, father, stepfather, brother, and grandparent. He was incredibly generous to others, always kind, and reaching out to others. He encouraged others to continue lifelong learning and education. He was an avid reader, loved music, and was a patriot. He maintained connections not only with family but with hundreds of friends and colleagues over the years. His Christian faith was the guiding light of his life.

Walter is preceded in death by his parents and wife, Dolores Mae Little-Penk.

Walter is survived by his sisters, Jeannine Penk-Kriegal and Adrienne Rathgeber; son, Mark Penk; grandchildren, Erica and Danielle; step children, Judith, John, George, and Tom Little; step grandchildren, Babette and Rochelle, Matthew and Mary.

A Visitation/Rosary will be held on Sunday October 5, 2025 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels, TX. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday October 6, 2025 from 10:00-11:00am at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. A procession will follow the funeral service to the Mausoleum for burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the Mid-Texas Symphony.

Please sign the guestbook at www.doeppenschmidtfuneralhome.com