RICHARD B. WALKER

Richard B. Walker, 68, died May 19, 2009, at Spanish Oaks Retreat, Savannah, Georgia, under the care of Spanish Oaks Hospice.

Richard or R.B., as he was known to Washington, DC, friends and colleagues was born on February 13, 1941 in Washington, DC, to Lillian Edith and Lowell Andrew Walker, both now deceased. At age 8, the family moved to Richland, WA, then back to Washington, DC, followed by Los Alamos, NV, then Albuquerque, NM, during the course of his father's career with the Atomic Energy Commission. After high school and a year of college, Richard entered the U.S. Air Force for a four year tour of duty at Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. There he met and married Elizabeth Ann Jamison, who later gave birth to their three children, prior to her untimely death in 1972. After completion of his commitment to the Air Force in 1965, he accepted a civilian position with the Defense Intelligence Agency DIA in Arlington, VA, embarking on what would be a career of over 30 years with that Agency. At DIA, he held a number of increasingly responsible positions and in 1985 was promoted to the DIA Senior Executive Service. At the time of his retirement in 1996, he was the Director of the National Military Intelligence Systems Center at DIA. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and accolades, to include the Secretary of Defense Award for Meritorious Civilian Service, for his work during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal for his 30 years of Intelligence Community service.

He completed his B.S. in night school, becoming a 1971 graduate of The American University in Washington, DC and was one of the few civilians honored to be selected for the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, PA, class of 1977.

Following the death of his first wife in 1972, and the courageous role of bachelor father for his three young children, in 1974, he married another DIA career civilian, Louise Claycomb Caldwell. They had a wonderful marriage, enjoying each other, the children and participating in all of their activities, notably soccer, basketball and swimming. His love of music, from classical to contemporary to country and blue grass, energized him to amass a huge, eclectic assortment of records and CDs. He was happy listening to Mozart or Motown, Bach or Beatles, Pachelbel or Dolly Parton. This love of music became a huge part of the children's lives, thus explaining their extensive play lists today. He also enjoyed amusing himself thumping on the guitar.

In 1996, the couple moved to The Landings and quickly became involved with golf, volunteer activities, and all the social events with their newly made friends and neighbors. Golf had long been a passion for Richard and he had enjoyed playing many world-renowned courses. He also loved fishing and everything outdoors; this, too, he passed on to the children and later to the grandchildren, and summer vacations in Idaho focused on fishing and picking huckleberries. But what he loved best of all was entertaining his friends with stories and jokes. He will always be remembered for his quick wit and incredible sense of humor. The life of the party! He also loved the Washington Redskins and often remarked that he had two favorite teams: the Redskins and whoever was playing against the Dallas Cowboys.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Louise; daughter and son-in-law Loretta Lynn and V. Michael Prencipe and their daughters Ciara and Holly of Alexandria, VA; daughter and son-in-law Linda Michelle and Todd Richardson of Coral Springs, FL; son and daughter-in-law Theodore Jamison and Jennifer LeCompte Walker and their sons Ryan and Reed of Olathe, KS; brother Thomas Andrew and wife Nancy Walker of Flower Mound, TX; devoted cousin Renee Norton Sullivan; and many other relatives and dear friends. He touched the lives of many people and will be remembered fondly by all.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 25, 2009, at the Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel, 7200 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31406, followed by a reception hosted by Nancy and Fred Loe at their residence. Interment will be at a later date in the Pioneer Cemetery in Horseshoe Bend, ID. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Assn., 201 Television Circle, Savannah, GA 31406, or other favorite charity.
FOX AND WEEKS FUNERAL DIRECTORS HODGSON CHAPEL
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