Dr. Walter A. Trenkle of Garden City had a passion for healing. As a young pharmacist's mate treating wounded and dying Marines on the battlefields of Okinawa and Guadalcanal to his successful orthopedic practice in Mineola, he enjoyed helping people. Dr. Trenkle was on-staff at Winthrop-University Hospital for more than 40 years and served as chief of orthopedics for 14 years, until 1987.

His children boast that their father could fix anything, from a broken bone to a broken dishwasher. Growing up during the Great Depression, his childhood experiences clearly molded his work ethic, as son, Robert, of Bellmore, remembered. "Anyone who has ever worked alongside Dad ... knew how Dad felt about hard work. And my brothers, sisters and I knew that two of the worst words to say around Dad were 'I'm bored.' That was a sure ticket to wind up weeding in the garden in no time."

Dr. Trenkle took pride in his bonfires, where he'd trudge firewood down the beach for the annual 4th of July party out at the family summerhouse in Asharoken. An avid sailor, he was pleased to pass this love of water on to his children, and was especially honored when son, Bill, of San Diego, became an America's Cup sailor, sailing with Dennis Conner.

In December 1952, he married Anne Van Bourgondien, whom he met while studying at Hofstra University and was more than honored to marry her all over again 50 years later when they renewed their vows at St. Joseph's in Garden City. Together, the couple raised nine children and adored time spent with their 14 grandchildren. Dr. Trenkle's youngest daughter, Susan, of Levittown, fondly recalled, "The last smiles we saw from Dad were smiles because his grandchildren were around. In fact, I suspect he held on as long as he did so he could meet Sofia, who Kathy brought from Idaho to meet Grandpa..."

Dr. Trenkle was an active member of Garden City Kiwanis. He served as president of the Nassau County Academy of Medicine in 1979 and 1980, was a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and worked part-time at Northport VA Hospital during the 1990s. He earned Hofstra University's Estabrook Award for Alumni Achievement in 1969 and served as president of the university's Alumni Association between 1966-1967. He and his wife called Garden City home for 45 years.

Born Dec. 28, 1925, Dr. Trenkle is survived by his wife, Anne; brothers, Robert (Ann) of Plainview and Arthur (Susan) of Idaho; his children, Walter (Camille) of Lynbrook, James of Garden City, William (Crystal) of San Diego, CA, Nancy Harrington (Lawrence) of Ireland, Barbara Bento (Fernando) of West Hempstead, Marianne Kiernan (Matthew) of Northport, Robert (Christine) of Bellmore, Kathryn Trenkle (Robert Carlson) of Driggs, Idaho and Susan Trenkle of Levittown; and grandchildren Keith Fancher; Tyler and Justin Trenkle; Caitlin, Conor and Luke Harrington; Michael, Casey and Scott Bento; Morgan and Christopher Kiernan; Allie and Cara Trenkle and Sofia Carlson.

"During Dad's last year-and-a-half, he spent quite a bit of time in and out of hospitals and rehabs. The one thing that always seemed to keep him going was the idea of 'home,'" son Robert said. "Now at the end of Dad's remarkable journey on this earth - the greatest Dad of the Greatest Generation is truly home."

Family and friends remembered Dr. Walter A. Trenkle during a funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church Saturday, Feb. 19, with interment following at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury. He was 79.