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Richard Waters Obituary
1935 - 2013
Gulfport
Richard Adolphus Waters, artist and inventor, passed away on July 4, 2013. Born September 19, 1935, Dickie Waters grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where his family owned Gulf Hills Dude Ranch in the 1950's and 1960's. He graduated from USM in 1961, where he was a member of KA fraternity. In 1965 he received his MFA from the California College of Arts in Oakland, CA.
Dickie was a special spirit interested in many fields--mostly sundry art forms, all forms of music, and horticulture. He also worked in hotel management. He made important contributions in all fields. Richard was a teacher, author, speaker, and performance artist, who lectured and performed in many venues. His art work has been shown in galleries all over the U.S. A self-taught horticulturist, Richard, an expert in bamboo, served on the Board of Directors for both the Northern California and Hawaii Chapters of the American Bamboo Society. Moreover, Dickie was a kind and loving person with an infectious laugh for all his buddies. He treasured his many friends.
Although an accomplished painter, Mr. Waters was best know as the inventor of the waterphone, a world reknowned musical instrument featured in soundtracks of numerous motion pictures and TV productions, such as Star Trek, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix, Bugsy, Poltergeist, and Kung Fu series--endeavors too numerous to mention. The waterphone is an integral part of every major symphony and every major musical entity, for example Aerosmith, in the world. He created each instrument by hand as a work of art and was constantly in demand for more and more hand crafted instruments.
Richard's many honors include the following: 1965 Lytton Award in Painting, Oakland, CA; 1977 Ford Foundation Research Grant of LaJolla, CA., Mississippi Arts Commission Grant. To learn of his many honors and achievements and his contributions, view his website at www.RichardAWaters.com.
Mr. Waters was preceded in death by his father and mother, Dick and Gladys Waters, former owners of Gulf Hills Dude Ranch.
Dickie leaves behind his daughter author Rayme Waters, her husband Kurt Adzema, and grandaughter Eva of Palo Alto,CA; his sister Pernette (Porter) Berhendt of Monroe NC; his dearest friend Linda Anne Scott of Gulfport, and many friends and admirers.
The family will observe a celebration of life memorial service at some time in the future. In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, 510 Washington Ave., Ocean Springs 39564 or to the art organization of their choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Waters
Sponsored by Friends.
Gary
August 2, 2023
knew Richard from the music scene many years back when I managed 2 percussion shops in Los Angeles. I always looked forward to our conversations and the few face to face meetings we had back when. such a kind and talented man that I remember forever. * I was sorry to see this posting after showing someone the water phone on the web. RIP Richard - Gary
Beverly Davis
August 6, 2013
I was saddened to learn of Richard's passing. I first met him through mutual friends and later we were environmental activists involved in the same issues. He always had that ready smile, warm words and a prompt quip to set the mood. He will be greatly missed.
Cole McBride
August 6, 2013
I purchased a waterphone from Richard seven years ago and it changed my life. Thanks for your creativity Richard! I'll always be inspired by you!
Rest well Richard.
Bryce Rohde
July 22, 2013
So much to remember as regards Richard starting soon after meeting Lee Charlton circa 1968 and driving with him up to Sebastapol where we were introduced to Richard and his beginning experiments with the Waterphone which became a world-wide addition to movies, movie actors and musicians (Emil Richards,Lalo Schifrin) and of course shared the group name- the Gravity Adjusters Expansion Band of which I was a member for a period including two L.A. recordings in Roy Harte's Nocturne Studios. So many good times with an original inventor/composer/painter :))
Lee Charlton
July 16, 2013
I first met Richard in 1958 in Biloxi. Those were wild times, in Biloxi. Known as Dickie, in those days, Richard would show up at many of the clubs where jazz was the music that was alive and abundant. Richard loved live jazz that went on into the wee hours of the morning. Many times, after the clubs closed, we would end up at the Gulf Hills ski shack.
Richard ventured to California in 1961, to continue his education. And I followed in 1963 with members of our jazz group, all of whom Richard knew. We continued to fuel our friendship for 50+ years, and many musical ventures throughout those years, including a rare experimental group that we formed in the late 1960's called The Gravity Adjusters Expansion Band. Richard contributed many special instruments to this highly improvisational band, including the waterphone, which he patented and sold worldwide.
I will miss you, dear friend Richard, until we meet again.
jody hamptn
July 15, 2013
I loved hearing the waterphone on "Kung Fu".
Richard at the Golden Gate
Gary Knowlton
July 14, 2013
Richard was my neighbor for almost 15 years.
I used to hear unfamiliar unusual sounds emanating from his studio. After awhile, I understood these timbres. They were metal kinetic and sonic sculptures of his invention.
Richard always was tinkering ala Mad Professor on new devises. He had an incredible garden of exotic plants and was an authority on bamboo which later on became a source for new instruments including batutus and guiros. Richard was a prolific multimedia artist including oils, watercolor, printmaking and more recently computer based work. Richard introduced me to fellow instrument designers and I recorded many of these encounters. One of my favorite photos of Richard is from the mid sixties. He's giving Elvis a water-skiing lesson. The smile and pose says it all. I will miss his emails and never forget his deep wonderful laugh.
EMERY DAVIS
July 14, 2013
DICKIE WAS A GOOD MAN, A TALENTED MAN AND A LONG TIME FRIEND. HE WILL BE MISSED.
July 12, 2013
Lots of good things to remember about Richard - great wit, happy disposition and lots of Hawaiian shirts. Such a talent as well. Will miss him, especially when I return to the coast
Cynthia
Anna Gayle (Davidson) McClure
July 11, 2013
What wonderful and fun memories I have of Dickie from the 50s and more recently. He was a talented man and a true gentleman. He will be missed and remembered by many.
Carolyn Norton
July 9, 2013
In reading these thoughts about Richard I am struck by what a faithful friend he was to so many of us. No matter how long ago we met he kept in touch and treated us as if we were special to him. Dickie, I will miss your informative emails and Facebook postings and simply knowing you are in the world. Love to Pernette and Scotty.
July 8, 2013
Richard often played waterphone with my group, Ghost In The House on his travels west. Friends and collaborators will play in tribute to him on July 29th at Berkeley Arts. We'll be missing him and his music.
Rhoann Ponseti
July 7, 2013
Richard introduced me to my husband, a blind date. He wanted me to meet his friend who "just separated from his wife and has four children." The story was a bit off and put me off, that's for sure! But the blind date stuck and we've been together 25 years. Thank you, Richard!
Terrie Small
July 7, 2013
Dear Pernette,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. He was an amaziingly talented man. I loved the link you shared with me about his waterphone, what beautiful unearthly angelic music he made possible for all the world, he will be missed but his soul will live on through the sound! Peace be you. Your friend, Terrie
Jesse Stewart
July 7, 2013
I am deeply saddened by the news of Richard Waters' passing. He made four waterphones (of different sizes) for me and I play them almost daily. They are truly beautiful instruments. I have played the waterphone in concerts all over the world and people are always amazed by its beautiful, haunting sound. Richard did something that very few people have done: he added a truly new sound to the sonic palette of contemporary music and culture. For that, I--and many others around the world--will be eternally grateful.
My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
Christine Waters
July 7, 2013
Richard was my husband for 34 years and although we parted, he was much loved by me and will be dearly missed.
July 7, 2013
You're father sounded like a talented and well loved man. We are so sorry for your loss!
Liz and Alan Isaak
July 7, 2013
when i think of Richard the words "keep on keeping on" come to mind..perhaps i heard them fifty years ago...we were all friends in college in 1964....we all stayed friends and kept track of each other over the fifty years...we all became part of a family of friends on this planet and will be forever connected in the universe of endless time...judi and gary wheeler
Joe Kirkby
July 7, 2013
Dickie was unique in the best of ways. His departure leaves a certain void.
Kathy Good-Paglia
July 6, 2013
I met Richard some years ago as he was a friend of my family. His artistic talent was amazing..I was truly overwhelmed by his watercolors but all his work was wonderful. My deepest sympathy to all his family and friends and special thoughts and prayers to his dear friend and mine..Linda Scott. Your beautiful Art and other gifts will live on forever...I am honored to say I had the chance to get to know a little bit of the talented Richard Waters. May God Bless You.
Lee(TOMMY) ANKERSON
July 6, 2013
SURE SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT MY OLE SKI BUDDY.WE WENT AND PARTICIPATED IN TOURNEYS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.HE TAUGHT ME ALL I KNEW.GOING TO MISS YOU MY DEAR FRIEND.MY SYMPATHY TO ALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY
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