FELTON - Dr. Walter B. Omans, Felton resident and longtime pediatrician, passed away Aug. 28, 2010, in the Delaware Veteran's Home in Milford. He was 83 years old. Dr. Omans was born on Feb. 13, 1927, in Bay City, Mich. He graduated from Bay City Central High School, and served in the United States Navy Medical Corps during World War II. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts University in 1950, and his Doctorate of Medicine from Tufts University School of Medicine in 1954. After medical school, he did a rotating internship at Philadelphia General Hospital, followed by a pediatric residency and allergy fellowship at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children (Temple University) in Philadelphia. He served as Chief of Pediatrics and Assistant Chief of Premature Nurseries at Philadelphia General Hospital, and Associate in Pediatrics at Jefferson Medical College. In 1967, he moved to Delaware to join fellow residents Dr. John Forest and Dr. William Leitzinger in private practice. In 1978, after the retirement of Drs. Forest and Leitzinger, he joined the Dickinson Medical Group in Milford. He served as Chief of Pediatrics at Kent General Hospital from 1972 to 1979. He was the Attending Allergist at Dover Air Force Base from 1974 to 1980. In 1982 he opened his own private practice with offices in Dover and Milford, where he continued to practice until he retired in 2002, due to Parkinson's Disease. Dr. Omans had a never-ending dedication to his patients, an amazing ability to relate to children, and a calm, reassuring way with parents. He was the pediatrician to generations of families in and around the Dover and Milford areas during his many years of practice. He was a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Philadelphia Pediatric Society; Delaware Allergy Society; American College of Allergy and Immunology; American Medical Association; and the Medical Society of Delaware, which presented him with an award in recognition of 50 years of service. While living in Camden, Dr. Omans served as a member of the Camden Town Council and was instrumental in the beautification project of Camden, planting cherry trees throughout the historic town. He was a member of Whatcoat United Methodist church in Camden, where he sang in the choir for many years. Dr. Omans loved to reminisce with stories from his past. He had a true passion for sailing, and loved to sail the Chesapeake Bay. He was an impressive history buff in many areas; in particular, religion, lighthouses and the Civil War. He was an avid reader, and enjoyed canoeing and nature walks. He enjoyed building ship models in his spare time. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Margaret Omans; and his brother, Allen Omans. Dr. Omans is survived by his wife of 36 years, Dolores ("Dee") Omans of Felton; seven children, Abigail Omans of Va., Adrienne Omans, Amanda Omans of Dover, Glenn Omans, II and his wife Nancy of Va., Deborah Costa of Ariz., Janice Malmberg and her husband Peter of Dover; and W. Ben Omans and his wife Cheryl of Camden. He is also survived by a sister, Judy and her husband Peter of Mich.; ten grandchildren; three nephews and five nieces. Friends may visit with the family from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010, at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bayhealth Medical Center, Pediatric Unit, 640 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901 in memory of Walter B. Omans, M.D. or to March of Dimes Pregnancy, Delaware Chapter or Parkinsons Disease Foundation.