Walter J. Duerksen was born in Enid, Oklahoma and
graduated from high school in Wichita. He took his
bachelor's degree in music from the University of Wichita in
1931 and his master's from Northwestern in 1937. He
studied at Columbia University and at the Juilliard School of
Music. He taught in the Sedgwick public schools before
joining the faculty at the University of Wichita. At WSU, he
was instrumental music instructor, director of bands,
director of the School of Music, and dean of the School of
Fine Arts. He was member of the MENC, KMEA, Phi Mu
Alpha, and MTNA. He served his community as a member
of the Wichita Symphony Society Board, the Wichita Fine
Arts Council, and the Wichita Community Theatre Board.
He was on the editorial committee of the Music Educator
Journal and served on the MENC Commission on
Accreditation.