|
Walter H. Mahnke, founder of Mahnke’s Orthotics-Prosthetics Inc., died on June 30, just 6 days before his 91st birthday.
Mahnke became a certified orthotist-prosthetist in 1951 after working in his father’s O&P facility in Duluth, Minn., where he began at the age of 15. He was one of the few remaining prosthetists who was proud to have been part of the industry at a time when legs were still carved out of willow wood.
After several years with Winkley Brace Company, he founded Mahnke’s Orthotics-Prosthetics in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in 1975. He began a partnership with James Newberry in 1977.
Mahnke retired in 1988 and enjoyed golf and travel with his wife, Violet, who passed away in January. He is survived by 7 children, 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Mahnke’s friendship, integrity, sense of humor and joy of living will be missed.
