HISTORY: Walsh, Robert Noonan; Orleans, Winn, Par., Louisiana
Submitter: Cargle Branch, Jr.
Date: 23 Mar 2007


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Robert Noonan Walsh, the son of John D. and Amy H. (Noonan) Walsh, was born 7 December 1919 in
Lexington, Massachusetts.  Robert’s uncle was a doctor and, as was the custom then, had his medical
practice in his home where Amy delivered her son. Robert’s paternal grandparents were John A. and Mary
(Shea) Walsh and maternal grandparents were Michael and Elizabeth (Quiqley) Noonan.  An only child,
Robert was raised in the family home located in Winchester, Massachusetts.

He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant from Camp Davis, North Carolina on 2 June 1943. He then re-
enlisted in the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant on 3 June 1943 serving on active duty until 6
April 1946.

After being discharged at Camp Fannin, Texas, Walsh did not return to his home in Winchester,
Massachusetts, but to his bride and her family in Winnfield, Louisiana. While stationed at Ft. Polk,
Louisiana.  Walsh met Gwendolyn Lydia Branch, the youngest daughter of Mack Lunsford and Beulah (Gwin)
Branch, at a USO.  They married on 7 Feb 1945.  The young couple made their first home on Main Street
living first with Gwen’s parents, then moving across the street into a home of their own.

After being accepted at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Walshs’ moved to the city
where they eventually made their permanent home.  An excerpt from a letter dated March 4, 1947 written
by Robert’s father may give one of the reasons that Robert Walsh had no desire to return to
Massachusetts:

It started to snow Saturday evening early bit (sic) it did not amount to much. It snowed a little all
day Sunday.and in the afternoon it turned to rain and did it rain. When we left Derry the slush was up
to your ankles. When we got to Boston it was raining in torrents.  I never was out in a worse night. We
were on the rear end of the train and had to walk in from way out in the yard.  Mother put the Boston
Hearld that I had bought in Derry to send to you over her hat to protect it.  The first gust of wind
blew half of it away.  When we got to Winchester it seemed to be raining even harder. No Taxis so we
had to walk over to wait for the bus.

As Robert’s parents and family resided in Winchester, Massachusetts, return visits by Robert and Gwen
were planned with great care and excitement by family.  On Tuesday, Nov 19th at 10 PM, John Walsh
wrote:

…I started out yesterday morning at ten oclock to see what I could do on those reservations   for

you.  I went to the long-distance windows.  There were two or three persons waiting at each one. I
picked the window that had the fewest and eventually my turn came.  I told my story to the ticket
seller and he told me that I would have to have your return tickets before he could give me
reservations.  I was not quite satisfied so I went to the inform ation booth in the lobby.  The man
there told me that I did not need any tickets to get reservations.  So back I went again to the ticket
windows.  By that time there were five or six people waiting at each window.  and as I have been away
from work nearly an hour I called it off for the day.

This morning I went down again. but was very careful to go to another window.  I knew what I wanted
today so I just said to the ticket man “I want reservations on the Southerner leaving Boston on Jan
3rd.”  He asked my name.  Of course I said Robert N. Walsh.  He merely (sic)  picked up the telephone
and said to seats on train 74 Southeren RR to New Orleans on Jan 3rd and gave them our telephone
number.

Whether there were problems with the reservations or John Walsh was just making sure that Robert and
Gwen would have reservations to return to New Orleans is not clear.  On Friday Dec 6. at 2:35 PM, John
wrote:

…We have been able to get reservations for you on the Southern leaving New York on Dec 31st.  We are
not depending on these too much as the 31st is altogether too soon.

This letter ends with:

We are trying to get things ready for you so as to be ahead of the game when you get here. Chin up Dad
	   Rec’d a card this morning from Mr & Mrs Branch been 2 New Orleans

From the oral taped interviews with Gwendolyn Branch Walsh, frequent trips were made from New Orleans
to Winnfield for visits with her parents, Mack and Beulah Branch.  In one particular interview, Gwen is
quoted as saying:  “Bob and I would always stop at Lea’s in LeCompte to purchase a pie.  Mother loved
their coconut pies.”

Robert Noonan Walsh earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture on 27 May 1952.  In looking at some of
the personal drawings of  Robert, it becomes clear that he liked abstract art which may help to explain
his leanings toward more modernistic designs of the buildings and homes that he planned.

On February 20, 1993 Robert passed away after a lengthy illness:

WALSH Robert Noonan Walsh, a resident of New Orleans, LA and a native of Winchester, MA, passed away on
Saturday, February 20, 1993.  Mr. Walsh is survived by his wife, Gwen Branch and his niece, Carla C.
Reinhard, both of New Orleans, LA. He is the son of  the late John D. Walsh and the late Amy Noonan
Walsh. Private graveside services were held on Wednesday, February 24, 1993 at 2:00 PM at Lake Lawn
Park Mausoleum.  Father Claude Boudreaux officiated. LAKE LAWN METARIE FUNERAL HOME was in charge of
the arrangements. Donations to your favorite charity or Masses preferred.

(The Times Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana; February 25, 1993)