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Richard A. Walker
Dec. 24, 1946 ~ Dec. 29, 2007
San Jose Mercury News
Rich (Rick) Walker, 61, born in San Jose, CA to Dick and June Walker. Graduated in 1964 lived and worked in California and Oregon. Married Claudia Lee in 1989. Preceded in death by his father, Richard D. Walker. Survived by wife Claudia, mother June, sister Jan, children Tracy, Kristy, Daryl, Michelle & Jason, six grandchildren. Rick played water polo and swam competitively for Homestead High School and returned to swimming later in life, where he was recently awarded several gold medals at the Senior Olympics. An avid softball player, he had a life- long love of the outdoors, camping, fishing, tennis, and most recently pickleball. Memorial service will be held at 11am Tues. Jan. 15 at Saddleback Church, 1 Saddleback Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA 92630. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent payable to Richard Walker Memorial Fund at US Bank 22831 Lake Forest Dr. Lake Forest, CA 92630.
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Below is the 'talk' given by our classmate, Dennis Marion, at the Memorial Service for Rick on January 15th...at the Saddleback CHurch in Lake Forest, California:
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My name is Dennis Marion
Many of you don’t know me however Rick (I call him Rick) and I were best friends in high school.
The first time I met Rick we were both at a play on a Saturday night at Fremont high school in 1961. Not being that interested in theatre, at intermission Rick thought it would be a good idea to go swimming. We stacked garbage cans on top of one another and climbed the wall to go skinny dipping. That was my introduction to Rick Walker and a long time friendship.
We swam together and played water polo throughout high school where we were both quote good—Rick much better than me. Rick was an incredible athlete and excelled no matter what sport it was but he was an outstanding swimmer and had promise to go to the Olympics. We had a great coach and we were swimming against the best the world. We didn’t always win but we had a great time.
At one particular State swim meet Rick was not eligible as he had gotten into trouble (again) but showed up at the meet to cheer me on walking beside me on the outside lane at the finals where I was qualified last but won the race with a gold medal.
Rick and I were inseparable in high school. We swam twice a day and surfed on the weekends in Santa Cruz. Once we got our drivers licenses we would change off driving to the coast. Ricks mom had a Nash Rambler I think we called it the “green machine”. Rick still holds the unofficial land speed record from Los Altos to Santa Cruz and I don’t know why I remember this but I think our best time was 27 minutes to 41st ave. which was our favorite surf spot. Anyone who knows that road to Santa Cruz will remember what is called The Great Moody Curve which Rick would take at 90 mph. Four wheel drifts in a Nash Rambler—I remember it like it was yesterday.
Growing up in Los Altos in the 60’s was a great time and too many stories to tell about growing up with Rick Walker, some of which I think should be kept secret.
I was best man at Kathy and Rick’s small wedding soon after high school. He went off to start a career and start a family I went to college and became a hippy. We didn’t see each other again for over 40 years.
I think it was around 2001 I heard rumor that Rick was in Salem Oregon. I was on a business trip up that way and we reconnected after a long time. It took all night to play catch up with the most exciting news being that we were both born again Christians.
Rick and Claudia then moved to Santa Rosa where my wife and I lived at the time and again we got together periodically
I last spoke to Rick a few weeks ago when he was trying to talk me into getting back in shape to go to the senior Olympics. I was swimming again for exercise but had a problem committing to the time. We were comparing our times with other older guys doing the same sport. He was trying to talk me into it by saying--- “if you could just get back and forth across the pool a couple of times we could win in our age group”. He never lost his sense of humor.
I was so proud of him that he went back to swimming. He told me on more than one occasion the story about the day he quit. He was 16 or so maybe 17 and was swimming the 200 freestyle at a state meet. The guy who won the race was 1 or 2 years older and very fast. Rick came in second but the winner was so good he was out toweling off when Rick finished. The guy went on to win three gold medals in the Olympics and Rick retired from swimming.
I know he was having the time of his life recently and getting back to the things he loved.
Well—Rick is with the Lord
And we will miss him
But we will see him again.
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