Richard Francis "Dick" Walters

Richard, you are not forgotten!

Richard was such an important part of the UC Davis community, even in retirement. His work on technology to accurately scan mathematical equations for screen readers improved access for many students. I always enjoyed my conversations with him, which invariably drifted off topic to our many areas of common interest. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to know him and work with him.

My friend Dick was a gentleman and a scholar. He was a mentor in MUMPS and introduced me to so many wonderful friends around the world. He'll be singing Gilbert and Sullivan with the celestial choir.
In the photo attached, Dick is belting out a song while visiting Dr. Wakai in Nagoya, Japan.

I met Dick a long time ago through professional activities: the M Technology Association and the MUMPS Development Committee. During a meeting in Orlando we waltzed down Main Street to the music of a hurdy-gurdy, We sang in a church in the Netherlands, because the acoustics were amazing. We worked together off-and-on doing seminars at professional meetings, and I worked with him as a remote teaching assistant for one of his online courses. My husband and I announced our engagement at a...

My husband Steve first met Dick in 1967, to complete a project in the Davis Computer Center. They stayed in touch and Dick directed my husband to his first real job at the Department of Community Health. A few years later they worked together in the pioneer project implementing MUMPS for microcomputers. We rendezvoused with Dick and Shipley in Kleinwalsertal, Austria and enjoyed many wandering adventures and dinner parties together with our German friends. As former members of St. Martins,...

I knew Richard after about 2000 from his involvement with the WorldVistA community (MUMPS related). It was such a pleasure to know him and work with him. His book is wonderful. I keep a few copies so I can share them as they are needed.

As a student of Professor Walters, I appreciated his caring, reasonableness, and honesty, as well as expertise.