Walters was 32 when he arrived on campus in the fall of 1947, having served for the previous five years as chair of the music department and director of the orchestra and band at Atlantic Union College. Although his initial assignment was to teach violin and direct the orchestra at LSC, he also assumed leadership of the band at the end of his first year when its director left. Even though he quickly gained popularity in this role, it would prove to be an interim appointment that ended five years later because of the string program's rapid growth.

For the remainder of his career, Walters taught violin, directed the orchestra, and performed often, giving countless concerts in the United States, Canada and Europe. He directed the General Conference Session orchestra and served as music coordinator for those meetings in 1966 and 1971. At the time of his death, he was in charge of developing string programs in the conference's elementary schools and academies and was director of the Loma Linda University Orchestra (La Sierra College and LLU had merged five years earlier, a union that continued until 1990).

Walters was born in Tonawanda, New York, on May 31, 1915. Although he had started piano at age 5, he switched to violin after hearing Fritz Kreisler, famed violinist of the time. Kreisler inspired him with his playing and the observation that Walters would become a great musician. He received a degree in music and psychology at State Teachers College in Fredonia, New York, in 1940, and, while teaching at AUC, completed an M.Mus. at Boston University in 1946.

Through the years at LSC, Walters became known for his artistry on the violin and the polished, musical performances of his orchestras. He enjoyed playing table tennis and growing roses and was known for his enthusiastic wit, "the quickest wit on campus," according to the 1960 yearbook. His colleagues enjoyed working with him and the students knew him affectionately as "Prof Walters." They dedicated the 1957 yearbook to him with the following inscription:

TO ONE WHO IS A CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN

A Rare artist

An Inspiring teacher

A true friend

TO ONE WHO IS COURAGEOUS

Completely unselfish

Devoted to duty

TO ONE WHO HAS RARE UNDERSTANDING

Keen wit

A kind heart

TO ALFRED WALTERS, OUR "PROF"

We dedicate the 1957 Meteor

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