Richard T. Walter

1927 - 2017

Richard Thomas (Dick) Walter (89) of Seabrook, Texas passed away on March 11, 2017 after suffering a stroke. He was born on April 27, 1927 to William and Elizabeth (Kessinger) Walter in Portsmouth, Ohio.

He married Gwendolyn Marcus, September 10, 1949. After her death, he married Ione Calzada (Essmeier) Walter, May 3, 1975.

After high school, Dick served two years in the Army. He graduated from The University of Houston in 1958 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. In 1961, he began his career with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the Johnson Space Center where he went on to become an Aerospace Flight Systems Engineer. His career spanned multiple NASA programs, including Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle, and International Space Station, until his retirement in 1999 after 38 years of service. In addition, he was a member of the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department for 52 years. As a member of the fire department, he was also one of the founding members of the Clear Lake Emergency Medical Corps (CLEMC) which was established in 1972.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, his brother William, and his son Stephen.

Dick is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ione, his children: Diane Murrell, Janice Butcher (Jon), Douglas (Cindy), Charles Essmeier (Laura), Scott Essmeier (Paula), Anne Lillie (Drew) and his sister, Ruth Hughes of Portsmouth, Ohio.

He leaves behind eight grandchildren: Diane and the late Larry Murrell's children, Brian Murrell and Sara Aragon; Janice and Jon's children, Keri Osterberg and Jessica McCorkle; Doug and Cindy's daughter, Kristi Erwin; Stephen's son, Shawn Walter; Scott's son, Noah Essmeier; and Anne and Drew's children, Catherine and Andrew Lillie. In addition, he is survived by 13 great-grandchildren.

A very special companion to Dick is his beloved dog Lola, adopted seven years ago from Red Collar Rescue.

A celebration of his life will be held on May 6, 2017 at 2pm at the Seabrook Volunteer Fire department Station 1, 1850 E. Meyer Road, Seabrook, Texas 77586. All friends and colleagues of Dick and Ione's family are welcome to attend.

We would like to thank Harbor Hospice for their care and support. In lieu of traditional remembrances, donations can be made to Red Collar Rescue, 945 McKinney Street, No. 424 Houston, Texas 77002 (www.redcollar.org) or the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 98, Seabrook, Texas 77586.

Condolences may be sent to the Walter family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com