Richard G. Walker, WT7Q SK SK January 17, 2016 10-10 Number: 50860 In Memory of Richard George Walker September 4, 1916 - January 17, 2016 Obituary Richard George Walker passed away January 17, 2016 quietly at his home at Washington Oaks, Everett, surrounded in his last days by family love, just as he had lived his 99 years of life. Dick was born September 4, 1916 in La Grande, Oregon to George Bruce and Pearl Adeline Walker with one sister, Marian. At a very early age, Dick was interested in spark coils, audio equipment and radios. He often used his candy money to buy old battery radios for their parts to "build things" and "tinker" as he would say. He said that the early radio was the invention that most influenced his life. Dick's interest in ham radio and telecommunications started in Middle School and extended his entire life and professional career. He received his first Ham Radio License and built his own radio and 40 foot wood tower before going into high school. His career in radio and electronics started at The Radio and Music Supply Store in La Grande, Oregon where he worked as a high school student and previously scrounged parts for his radios. He graduated from La Grande High School in 1937. In 1940 he was offered a job with West Coast Telephone Company in La Grande laying cable and climbing poles. On July 21, 1940 he married his high school sweetheart, Annie Louise Moore, for a storybook romance that spanned 75 years of marriage and was celebrated with a family gathering in July 2015. Dick was in the National Guard after high school. In 1942 he joined the Navy during WW2 and was based in Corpus Christi, Texas teaching radio communications at the flight school. He was later Chief Radio Technician in charge of the Radio Tower equipment. Dick was Honorably Discharged from the Navy at the end of the War and returned to La Grande, Oregon where he continued his career with West Coast Telephone Company. While with West Coast Telephone Company he was transferred to Mt Vernon, Washington, Coos Bay, Oregon and then in 1950 to Everett, Washington. In 1957 the family moved from Everett to California with Dick taking a job at Lenkurt Electric Company in San Carlos as Project Manager with the new 81A multiplex communication system. Dick applied and felt very honored to be accepted into the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) a National Professional Organization, which was unusual since he did not have a college education. He was accepted on his self-taught knowledge, background of experience and career accomplishments. Dick was one of 3 engineers from Lenkurt Electric that presented on the 81A Multiplex communication project at an IEE conference in New York City. The presentation was written up in the trade magazine. In 1964 he joined Farinon Electric where he continued developing and testing multiplex equipment and later was a consultant in semi-retirement. In 1974 Dick and Ann purchased a 120 acre almond ranch in Balico, California as a retirement investment with a partner to manage it. He had always wanted a horse and visualized that if they had a ranch with enough acres maybe he could get that horse and enjoy a horseback ride like he remembered in his youth. He did get the farm but never had the horse. He approached the ranch with the same technical analysis he had in his earlier career and enjoyed participating in harvest and running the sweeper and pick-up machine and learning about good cultural practices. Dick and Ann reignited their love of Square Dancing and reestablished their skills after returning to Everett in 1980 becoming active in Happy Hoppers Club activities. They were named "Sweethearts of the Year at the annual Happy Hopper Valentine's Day dance in 1995. For several years they spent winters in Sun City, Arizona square dancing many days a week with other snowbirds. In retirement, Dick renewed his ham operator license needing to acquire an ability to type Morse Code at the rate of 20wpm. He built a 70 foot tower in the back yard of their Marysville home to extend his optimal range of contacts. He chased DX around the world and made contacts in over 250 countries and all 50 States earning Amateur Extra Class privileges, the highest level in 1994. It provided him many hours of challenge and enjoyment always working with his equipment to increase peak performance. Dick cherished his family and loved family gatherings anytime but especially at holidays and special occasions. Playing games, laughter and good food were always a part of those gatherings but the highlight was just being together with his children, grandchildren and later great grandchildren. His 4 granddaughters brought special joy to Dick and Ann's lives over the years with many shared times. There were travels to California to spend time with Rod's family. When in town, Dick and Ann seldom missed a piano recital or school concert or play when the Vandree granddaughters were performing. Favorite memories of Papa for all 4 granddaughters are around playing cards and games, making homemade ice cream, picking apples and eating Papa's barbequed steak! He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Annie Louise, daughter Linda Vandree (John) in Everett, Washington, son Rod Walker (Melanie), Waterford, California, 4 granddaughters Kyla Mangini (Colby), Memphis, TN, Kendra Vandree, Agarfa Ethiopia, Lindsey Sindayen (Chris) and Elly Walker in Walnut Creek, California and 4 Great Grandchildren, Marcus and Rory Mangini and Korrinne and Walker James Sindayen. Dick is also survived by his sister, Marian, in LaGrande, Oregon. Dick will be remembered for his acutely technical mind and attention to detail and exactness, his amazing skills as a "fix it" man but mostly for the loving , gentle, kind, honest person he was. He has taught the family much about life, compassion and committed love and will be greatly missed. A celebration of Dick's life will be held at Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery on February 6, 2016 at 3P.M. A reception will follow at the family home. Remembrances may be made to the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention in Bellingham, Providence Hospice, Everett or Sacred Harmonies Music-Thanatology Harp Program at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. http://evergreen.tributes.com/dignitymemorial/obituary/Richard-G.-WALKER-103215037
