Dick L. Walker

Dick Lewis Walker, age 89, of Montrose, Co., died February 2, 2013.  He was born on a farm near Syracuse, Indiana to Carl and Laura (Ford) Walker on May 19, 1923.  His twin brother died at birth.  Later two brothers arrived to complete the family.  Diversified, but poorly mechanized, the farm demanded an honest work ethic.  Dick was active in all aspects of production-a small dairy, orchard, sheep, cattle, hogs and poultry.  At a very early age, sometimes barefoot, he drove work horses in the fields.  Happily, there was time to hunt squirrels and rabbits, and to fish in the many local lakes.

Dick attended various United Methodist Churches.  A popular student, he graduated from high school in New Paris, Indiana, class of 1941.  Despite corrective spinal surgery, he was rejected from military service.  He lost his best buddy in WWII and forever regretted that he could not defend his country.

Dick worked in lumbering, trucking, constructed his own home, designed and built a rear-engine car, clocked happy miles on his Indian motorcycle, and soloed in a Taylor Craft airplane.  Dick was a voracious reader with a keen interest in politics.

In 1949, after one year in college, he traveled the still unpaved Alcan Highway to Alaska.  Enroute home, he spent a summer in Gordon, Nebraska where he married Marilyn Tenney his wife of 63 years.  Their honeymoon was a working tour of the 48 adjacent states.  They returned to rural Sheridan County, Nebraska where they raised dry land wheat and angus cattle.  Two daughters, Kathleen and Rosalyn blessed their home.

By changing their operation from cow/calf to steers, the Walkers escaped Nebraska blizzards.  For six winters, they owned and captained a skin diving charter boat off the Florida Keys.  This involved underwater photography, reef study, amateur treasure hunting, and many wild adventures. Dick participated in one TV documentary and a major treasure diving expedition off the Cayman Islands.

Remaining in agriculture, the Walkers relocated to southern Michigan in 1968.  They produced seed corn, soybeans, and alfalfa as well as owning a cattle feed yard.  In 1983, they retired from active farming to a small hay operation in the Uncompahgre Valley of Colorado.  Dick and his wife spent wonderful days horseback in the San Juan mountains.  Both delighted in big game hunting.

Dick relished music.  For several years, he played guitar and sang with the Ditch Gang, a blissfully enthusiastic country/bluegrass band,  A member of the IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) and, later SASS (Single Action Shooting Society), Dick shot competitively until health issues prevented participation.  Although he was seriously ill for long years, Dick handled his burdens with remarkable courage.  He will be remembered as a decent, productive man.  Dick has traveled on ahead.  Take our love along and Godspeed.

Immediate survivors are his wife, Marilyn, daughters Kathleen (Mark) Granning, Rosalyn (Gary) Wasserman, grandchildren Sara and Ian Wasserman, brothers Kenneth and Donald and sister-in-law, Delores Walker.  Memorials may be directed to the Colona Community church, 56 Thatcher Ave., Montrose, Co. 81403 or Haven House, Box 3013, Montrose, Co. 81402.  A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 at 11:00 am at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Dean Freed officiating.  Interment will follow the service at Valley Lawn Cemetery, South of Montrose.  Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.