Dr. Walter J. Lear (1923-2010) was a physician, public health official, and health care reform activist.

Born in New York City in 1923, Walter J. Lear earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Harvard University in 1943. While pursuing his medical degree at Long Island College of Medicine he was drafted into the Army Specialized Training Program and subsequently served for sever years under the department of U.S. Public Health Service. In 1948 he received a Master of Science degree in Hospital Administration from Columbia University.

At Long Island College of Medicine, Lear became involved in the Association of Internes and Medical Students (AIMS) and became it’s National Executive Director. His many career accomplishments include Assistant Director at Montefiore Hospital (1951-1952), Associate Medical Director for Health Insurance Plan of New York (1952-1961), Deputy Health Commissioner for the Department of Public Health of Philadelphia (1964-1971), Health Commissioner for the Pennsylvania State Health department, Health Commissioner for the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (1984-1988), and acting executive director of Philadelphia General Hospital.

A noted activist some of the organizations and committees Dr. Lear was part of include the Caucus of Gay and Lesbian Public Health Workers of the American Public Health Association, First National AIDS Forum, Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Philadelphia, Gay Public Health Workers Caucus of the American Public Health Association, Governor’s Council for Sexual Minorities, Medical Committee for Human Rights, National Gay Health Coalition, National Planning Conference of the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, Lesbian and Gay Health Program of Philadelphia, Philadelphia AIDS Task Force, and Siegrist Circle.

An openly out gay man, Dr. Lear’s public coming out happened at the 1975 American Public Health Annual Meeting, with the formation of the Gay Public Health Workers Caucus who gathered to form an exhibit and select their first officers, Dr. Lear was among those elected. The news of the caucus, including several resolutions passed at the conference were covered at the first edition of the Philadelphia Gay News in January 1976.