William T. Walter, PhD
WWBA Trustee President
(1931 – 2020)

WWBA commemorates the leadership and dedication of William T. Walter, PhD. His spirit and joy will forever be reflected in his lasting contributions to the Birthplace and to the legacy of Walt Whitman.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be sent to Walt Whitman Birthplace Association.

Richard Ryan
WWBA Curator & Historian
(1940 – 2020)
Richard Ryan, the longtime curator at the Walt Whitman Birthplace whose research helped preserve the poet’s Long Island legacy, died on Dec. 13. Ryan joined the Walt Whitman Birthplace in 1987 serving as curator for the Huntington museum and literary center for the poet and onetime schoolteacher.
“He was basically the institutional memory for the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association,” said the center’s executive director, Cynthia Shor. Genevieve Ryan said “My husband was a very simple man and Walt Whitman was intricate but also believed in the simple things in life. He was just intrigued by the style of Walt Whitman and the way he led his life.”
Read More about Richard Ryan: Newsday