Daniel Carroll Walsh, Jr. 1942-2024

Daniel Carroll Walsh, Jr., born May 27, 1942 in Baton Rouge, and died on June 10, 2024. He led a life of meaning and purpose that served many communities across the United States, including, but not limited to, Louisiana and New Mexico.

Dan leaves behind his loving and amazingly patient wife of 56+ years, Elizabeth; his son, John Walsh of Baton Rouge, and granddaughter Lynnlee Walsh; daughter Jennifer Walsh of Annandale, VA, and son-in-law Commander Mark Zwolski, USN (Retired); and daughter Amanda Walsh of Washington, D.C., son-in-law Patrick Bateman, and grandsons Alexander and Charlie Bateman.

He is preceded in death by his father, Daniel Carroll Walsh, Sr., mother, Frankie Toups Walsh, and many feline friends over his lifetime, including/especially his last feline buddy "Molly Carroll".

Dan loved a good home or yard project, especially if it involved concrete; bringing his sharp wit (and sometimes sharp tongue) to liven up any discussion; discussing issues over coffee with family, friends, and colleagues; and finding ways to solve the simple to complex societal problems. Dan had a gift in conceiving, developing, and executing creative solutions to complex problems through coalition-building, principled public resource management, and accountability. Dan grew up in The Plains, Baton Rouge, and Zachary; attended Marion Institute Military Academy; earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Northwestern State College and a Doctoral degree from LSU in Education. He dedicated his career to higher education and national security, creating opportunities for LSU, Louisiana, homeland security and first responder preparedness. Dan joined LSU's Division of Continuing Education in 1974, was named Dean of the Division in 1995, and served as Dean until retiring from LSU in 2003. He mentored, trained, and motivated many LSU students, colleagues, and professionals across myriad fields. Through the 1990s he developed and enabled LSU partnerships with the U.S. Departments of State and Justice on Anti-Terrorism Training and Law Enforcement Preparedness programs which served first responders nationwide including those who answered the call in New York City on 9/11. As Dean of Continuing Education, as well as in later work, Dan helped conceive and realize a National Domestic Preparedness Consortium. He served on the Greater Baton Rouge Convention & Visitors Bureau; the Board of Directors for the Campus Federal Credit Union and LSU's Cadets of the Ole War Skule, respectively. He served the Baton Rouge community through Rotary International, as an Alumnus Advisor to the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, several professional societies, and was a member of the LSU Foundation and LSU Alumni Association. Dan un-retired in 2005 to serve as the Associate Vice President of Research & Economic Development at New Mexico School of Mining and Technology in Socorro, NM until 2014. He embraced life, his time, and his friends made in the American Southwest. Dan returned to Baton Rouge in 2014 and traveled globally with Elizabeth. Dan always left an impression (usually a good one!) and he died with an incredible list of accomplishments that has made significant differences in the lives of many people, organizations, and communities. His memory is a blessing that carries forward in his good humor and good deeds. The Walsh Family appreciates your remembering Dan in your thoughts. The Walsh Family would like to extend their gratitude to the Baton Rouge General Bluebonnet ER and ICU nurses and doctors, the Comfort Care Team, and the entire staff at the Crossings at Clarity Hospice. Special thanks to Ms. Vanessa Yates, who assisted in Dan's care during the last two months of his life.

For anyone wishing to make a tangible remembrance, donations to the following organizations are preferred in lieu of gifts, flowers, or plants: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research; The Parkinson's Foundation; the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank; or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Baton Rouge.