Richard Walker

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Richard Laurence Walker of Calgary, AB, on Friday, December 8, 2023, at age 76. Richard had led a fulfilling and active life until very recently.

Richard was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 5, 1947 to Raymond and Mary Walker, both of whom predeceased him.  He excelled at school, graduating from Seaholm High School in Detroit.  He attended Alma College in Michigan where he earned a B.Sc. in Biology, and then to Michigan State University where he earned a Master’s degree followed by a PhD in Biology in 1973.  Richard had already spent some time adventuring in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, so when he was offered a position at the University of Calgary in the Biology Department in 1975, it was an ideal opportunity for him.

Calgary became Richard’s home, and he taught biosciences at the University of Calgary from 1975 to his retirement in 2015.  He also taught as a sessional instructor in the Department of Kinesiology before retiring a second time.  Richard was passionate about teaching which was reflected in the many awards of excellence he received from the university. 

Richard met the love of his life Drexel Westlund at the University of Calgary and they were married in 1982 followed by 41 years of adventure. Richard and Drexel enjoyed traveling the world together; cruising to Alaska, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Baltic Sea countries, and Mexico. They also embarked on mission trips to Belize and the Dominican Republic. Richard circumnavigated Vancouver Island in a 36-foot sailboat and they enjoyed sailing together in the Gulf and San Juan Islands. He loved the Rocky Mountains and spent many days hiking and skiing in them. Richard was a past president of The Calgary Weekend Hikers an organization he avidly supported since 1975 and active in The Norsemen Ski Club.

Richard loved classical music and sang in Calgary’s Festival Chorus for over 10 years. He was a lifelong learner and devoured books particularly about the American Civil War. During his teaching career he co-authored many research papers and contributed to several textbooks.

Richard was a devout Christian and an active member of Varsity Bible Church where he greatly enjoyed cycling with men’s group. He was kind, patient, and generous by nature and was a mentor to many. It has been said about Richard that “he hadn’t met a person who wasn’t his friend.” In later years, when either as a patient himself or when visiting a patient, he encountered many medical professionals who had had him as a professor and remembered him fondly.

Richard is lovingly remembered by his loving wife Drexel; Tom Perry, who was like a son to him; brother, Howard (Wendy); sisters-in-law, Janice (David), Carol (Matthew), and Linda (Bill); brothers-in-law, David (Luella) and Peter (Cathy); nieces and nephews, Matthew, Kaitlin (Evan), Paul (Melinda), Joelle (Matthew), Leigh (Connor), Meaghan (Todd), Kate (Dillon), Emma (Matthew) and Ann (Darius).

He will be sorely missed by family and friends. Mo shùile togam suas (translated from the Gaelic: I will lift up my eyes. Psalm 121:1, Motto of The University of Calgary). Happy Trails to you, Richard, until we meet again. A Celebration of Richard’s Life will be held at Bow Valley Christian Church located at 5300 53 Ave NW, Calgary, AB, on Friday, January 12^th, 2024, at 1:30PM. If friends and family so desire, donations in Richard’s memory may be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation Heart and Stroke Foundation or Doctors Without Borders Doctors Without Borders. The family wishes to acknowledge the excellent care and compassion given to Richard by the staff of the Foothills CVICU Unit.

Please follow this link to watch a live stream of Richard's Service https://vimeo.com/event/3999599