Sherman Walt (August 22, 1923-October 26, 1989) was one of the foremost American bassoonists of the 20th Century. Born in Minnesota, he served in the U.S. Army in World War II, winning a Bronze Star; after his discharge from the service he joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as principal bassoonist. He then studied at the University of Minnesota. In 1951 he moved to the Boston Symphony Orchestra and served in a similar position there for the remainder of his career. He was killed in an automobile accident in 1989 just a few months after retiring.