Richard E Walker

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, June 8, 2008 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, Illinois with Rev. Jeff Grote officiating. Visitation one hour before services. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville. Memorials may be given to ELKS Children’s Eye Clinic c/o Oregon State Elks Association, PO Box 189, Salem, Oregon 97308 or the Western Oregon University Foundation c/o Dr. Richard Walker Memorial, 345 N. Monmouth Ave., Monmouth Oregon 97361.

Mr. Walker was born on April 14, 1935 in Shelbyville, Illinois, the son of Wallace Lane and Gertrude Arlene Bube Walker. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1953. After high school he attended the University of Illinois and graduated from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois in 1958. Dick was a lifetime member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Phi Beta Kappa. Dick taught Industrial Arts at Lakeview High School in Decatur, Illinois from 1958-1961. He received a Masters of Education from the University of Illinois in 1962. Then he became a professor at Northern Illinois University from 1962-1964. Dick received a Doctorate of Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1967. He was a professor at St. Cloud State College from 1967-1972, then Western Oregon State College (now Western Oregon University) from 1972 until retiring in 1996 as Chair of the Special Education Division. He was married to Beverly Ann Born on February 14, 1959. They later separated, but maintained a good friendship.

Dick was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of ELKS, joining the order in January 1963. Dick served as Exalted Ruler of the Independence Lodge #1950 from 1976-1977, becoming a life member in 1980. He served as the Oregon State Association Elks President from 1991-1992. He helped with the Casey Eye Institute and Meadowood Springs with his involvement with the Elks and served as Chairman of the Children Eye Clinic since 2005, Chairman of the Physical Handicap Committee from 1979-1982 and Meadowood Springs Committee from 1982-1985.

After his retirement, Dick enjoyed traveling. He visited Europe, Africa, Central American, Australia, Hawaii and Fiji. He also enjoyed cooking, dining out, and spending time at his second home in Terrebonne, Oregon. Perhaps his greatest joy in his later years was spending time with his grandkids.

People who knew him would likely describe him as compassionate and civic-minded.

Survivors include his daughter, Teri L. Smith and husband Bret of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Kelby Smith, Mackenzie Smith, Kody Smith and Claire Smith; partner, Marc Walters; sister, Judy Brewer and husband Jeff of West Lafayette, IN; nephews, Jeffrey J. Dunscomb of West Lafayette, IN, Brian R. Dunscomb of Noblesville, IN, and James L. Dunscomb of Greenwood, IN and niece, Julie A. Dunscomb of Urbana, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and daughter, Jodi Walker.