Walter Bartky (1901-1958) was an American educator and mathematician. He did both his undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Chicago. After receiving a Ph.D. from the university, he served on its faculty in the astronomy department. In 1943 he became associate dean of the University of Chicago’s Division of Physical Sciences.
During the Manhattan Project, Bartky served as the Metallurgical Laboratory’s associate director. Bartky was a signatory of the Szilard Petition. In 1945, he accompanied Leo Szilard and Harold Urey to present a memorandum to future Secretary of State James F. Byrnes that warned of the dangers of a nuclear arms race.
After the war, Bartky became dean of the Division of Physical Sciences at the University of Chicago. He later became vice president of the university in charge of special scientific programs.
Bartky died in Chicago, IL on March 19, 1958.