John Richard (Dick) Walker, 76, of Mansfield, died on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in Pittsburgh, from complications from a fall.
Born Aug. 10, 1939, in Beacon, N.Y., he was the son of William Hay and Mary Margaret (nee Richards) Walker. He was married for 54 and a half years to his college sweetheart, Beth.
A lifelong learner with a Ph.D. in mathematics (topology), he taught at Mansfield University for his entire career. He loved family, travel, music and friends. He died having memorized over 55 poems and still studying political systems and French.
He is survived by his wife, G. Elizabeth (nee Mosher) Walker of Mansfield; his daughter, Amy McCall and her husband, Robert of Pittsburgh; his daughter, Gwen of Norman, Okla.; grandchildren, Brendan McCall of Pittsburgh, Gavin McCall of Pittsburgh, Kathleen Schark of Norman, Okla., Mackenzie Schark of Norman, Okla..; and his brother, Blaine Walker and his wife, Nancy of St. Paul, Minn.
There will be no public services. A memorial service will be scheduled for a future date. He will be interred at Mount Zion Cemetery, Galilla County, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Civil Liberties Union (action.aclu.org,) Amnesty International (donate amnestyusa.org) or Doctors Without Borders (https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org/). Professional services are trusted to Thomas M. Smith Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., Blawnox. www.thomasmsmithfh.com

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Published by The Wellsboro Gazette from Dec. 21 to Dec. 28, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for JOHN WALKER

13 Entries

Bruce Dart

December 16, 2019

Dick was a friend and neighbor. We will always miss him. God Bless

January 11, 2016

Dear Beth, I was so sorry to hear about Dick; we really had some great times together. Sincerely, Tony Becker

Bruce Dart

January 3, 2016

So sorry to hear about Dick. Deepest sympathies.

Terry Faber

January 2, 2016

Rich and I are so sorry for your loss.
Terry Faber

Bonnie Romeo

December 28, 2015

Mrs. Walker, Beth, Dr. Walker was a kind, brilliant man who will be missed. His deep, calm voice remains in my memory as a source of peace. Heaven's gain is our loss. Please accept my condolences. Bonnie Romeo, MU 1973

December 24, 2015

Dear Beth, Gwen and Amy,
I was so sorry to hear about Dick. I will miss his presence and his calm, deep voice.
He was a well respected teacher and a real gentleman. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Ann Vayansky

Amy Heverly

December 24, 2015

My deepest sympathies to all.

Emily Rizzo

December 23, 2015

Beth, John and I offer our condolences on your loss. I'm sure the Democrats will miss him as well.

Brigitte Busch & Family

December 22, 2015

Dear Gwen, our hearts and thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time.

Theresa Seri

December 22, 2015

Deepest condolences to you, Gwen, Amy and Mom as well as your entire family. We are so sorry for your loss. Much love and comfort from the Seri/Gold family - Terry, Adam, Joshua and Nina

Jim Latten

December 22, 2015

I am not surprised to read that he was "still studying political systems and French" because it is his example of lifelong learning that affected me so greatly. I love to tell the story of walking into my first college class (Music Theory) at Mansfield and seeing a gentleman - clearly not a student - sitting in the back. (Well, it was my first day of college, so maybe that's where the professor sits while students come in? I had no idea what was up...). Then, Professor Ed Brown walks in and begins teaching music theory! The man in the back is now taking notes....what's going on?? It turned out, of course, that Dr. Walker was sitting in, taking the class! Well, now I'm almost 52...he would have been 43 then...and I still use that very example with students when I discuss the importance of lifelong learning. I doubt we ever even shared a word; I did not have him as a professor...but little does he know how much his example positively affected my life and my outlook.

Barbra Frand

December 22, 2015

Dear Gwen and Family,We are very sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace and comfort. Thinking of you. Jeff, Barbra and Jaron Frand

Ellen Blais

December 22, 2015

What we will miss most about Dick are the concise, pertinent, carefully reasoned letters to the editor he never stopped writing even in discouraging political times. Their from-the-left perspective was fresh air in this part of PA to those of us who agreed with him! Thanks for those letters, Dick!
Ellen and Wil

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