Walter J. Cole, M.D., C.M.

Walt Cole, affectionately called “Doc C” by family and friends, was born in 1916 in Ottawa, Ontario. His father was head surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railroad and had a remuda of 40 horses on the Milk River, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Horses were the only means of transportation, his father commuting to Ottawa by canoe and boat he built. Doc Cole started riding at age 7, “messed with horses” until he went to medical school at Queens University ‘36 to ’43. After graduating with MD and CM (master of surgery) degrees, he served as Surgeon Lt., Royal Canadian Navy. Concurrent with residency at Toronto Western Hospital, operated an Internal Medicine practice, later completing post graduate studies at Johns Hopkins, UCSF, and Stanford medical schools.

In 1942, he married Margaret Storey Hibbert (deceased 1992) in Rocky River, Ohio. They had two sons, John of Tucson and Tim of San Francisco. Emigrating to Bay Area in ’49, started a practice specializing in dermatology at Palo Alto Medical Clinic, practicing with such notables as Drs Russell Lee, Blake Wilbur, and fellow Patrol member Rob Dunn, becoming US citizen in 1957.

He began a practice in dermatology in ’55 in Palo Alto and Los Altos, consolidating his practice at Stanford Medical Plaza on Welch Road, retiring in 1991 from full time practice. He served as Clinical Professor at UCSF and Stanford, named Professor Emeritus of Stanford Medical School. He co-founded, with Dr. Robert Walton, a clinic specializing in melanoma and pigmented lesions and served as Official Physician, Stanford Fire Department (’65 – ’80). His many professional affiliations: Member AMA; Fellow and Life Member, American Academy of Dermatology; Founder, Board, Life Member, Past President, North American Clinical Dermatological Society; and Founder, Board, and Life Member, Cutaneous Therapy Society.

In ’49, Doc C returned to his love of horses and riding, buying quarter horses for his oldest son and himself, which he kept at Piers ranch in Portola Valley. He forged a close “riding” friendship with Patrol members Manuel and Roger Piers (his sponsors) and fellow physician Rob Dunn. He attended his first Patrol ride in ’50, participating in County Search and Rescue callouts, as “Emergency Physician”, and as a carpenter with fellow member Stan Schlicting, for Spring Horse Show and Jr. Rodeo events for many years.

He worked as a cook for more than ten years with Flo and Eddie Castleman in the original food shack and later in the “new” Patrol clubhouse designed by fellow member Walt Matson; serving as Mess Sergeant in ‘72. Doc C introduced emergency oxygen supplies to the 5-day Fall Ride and instructed the general membership in First Aid, CPR, and Heimlich maneuver. He founded and supervised the annual Mounted Patrol Blood Bank, in conjunction with Peninsula Memorial Blood Bank (San Mateo) of which he was a board member.

Dedicated to our local trail system, he helped cut trails with Roger Piers and Pete Towne, from the Patrol Grounds all the way to Towne Ranch on to the coast. Extending his medical expertise to our horse community, he served as veterinary dermatology consultant to several well-known local vets, while also consulting in veterinary dermatology at UC Davis.

Doc C participated in cattle drives and round-ups at the Marthin, Mariani, Piers, Conley, Gonsalves, Glass, and Hat Creek Ranches, and at Boronda Farms. With Past Captain Walt Rodman, he served as consulting editor of the cowboy cookbook, “Chuck’s On”, published by the California Beef council, with whom he sponsored the first “pit” BBQ at the Patrol Grounds. With fellow member Tony Sorich, he built the original permanent barbeque for the Patrol. This capped a long list of culinary, blood bank, search and rescue, trail blazing, rodeo, and horse show events, illustrating his love and dedication to our horse community and traditions.

For several decades he actively participated as a member of the Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County, Shack Riders Inc., Los Rancheros Visitadores (Campo Adolfo), Sonoma trail Blazers, Monterey Rough Riders, and San Mateo County Horseman’s Association. An avid hunter, he is a Past Board Member of Ducks Unlimited and California Waterfowl Association. Received three appreciation awards from the Mounted Patrol for his service in WW II, as Mess Sergeant in ‘70s, and 50 year anniversary of dedicated membership.

His charitable endeavors have focused on support to both the medical professions and equestrian community where his efforts resulted in positive outcomes. As Trustee of a large charitable foundation, he arranged for six nursing scholarships at UCSF for first year students and support of Geriatrics at Stanford. While growing up in Canada, from age 12 forward to his internship as a Brother of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem Brigade (takes the place of Red Cross in Canada, formed to support knights in battles of the Crusades), he served on the ambulance team, attending to first aid and other medical needs at all major fairs and exhibitions.

When asked about his equestrian and ranching endeavors, Doc commented “I served on the Town of Portola Valley Trails Committee for a number of years and also volunteered in 4H for a long time where my wife Peg and two boys were very active. Peg was a judge at 4H competitive events and taught cooking as well to young 4H’ers in Ladera, Alpine, and Portola Valley chapters. And we did all the barbequing at the San Mateo County Fair for many years. Son John competed in Polo at the Menlo Circus Club and both sons Tim and John participated in Trail Horse events at 4H and horse shows at the Mounted Patrol and Circus Club, along with raising and showing sheep, cattle, and horses during their many years of 4H involvement.”

Past Captains Ray Baumbach and Lex Hobson, in nominating Doc C for this year’s award, said, “In addition to Doc C’s several decades of being a great horseman and supporter of everything to do with our horse community, he is the first to visit and help his wide circle of friends, both husbands and wives or siblings, when illness occurs or medical advice is needed - always right there, a tireless, loyal friend to all of us and his profession in every way.

He and 2005 award recipient Rich Delucchi are the last surviving members of a small group that organized and moved the Patrol forward for our continuing enjoyment. His fellow professionals, Patrol, and other horse friends join us in honoring him with this special award. We love you, Doc C!