Dr. Richard Walker

Richard was born on September 23, 1954, to Ward and Mary Ellen Walker in Chicago, Illinois. Richard grew up in Brownsville, Texas and enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 17. During the Vietnam War, he specialized in communications repair and achieved the rank of Sergeant. After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force, he went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the UT Pan American, a D.D.S. from UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, a Master of Public Health with a focus on geriatrics. In 1989, Richard sold his dental practice due to rheumatoid arthritis but would continue to practice dentistry part-time until 2019.

Unable to practice dentistry full-time, Richard found a career in law enforcement, answering the call to support his community shortly after 9/11. As a Texas Peace Officer, he worked for Hill Country Village Police Department and the Federal Reserve Bank at San Antonio, retiring as a Lieutenant in 2012. After retirement, Richard continued to do the things he loved, spending his time working outdoors in the Texas hill country and with his family.

Richard is survived by his wife of 35 years, Julie; daughter Christina de la Garza Gilbert; daughter Mary Flood and husband Daniel; son Samuel Walker; granddaughter, Cora Gilbert.

He was preceded in death by his son John Richard Walker, in 1981, who died at three days old.

Services will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Memorial on January 3 at 11:15 a.m. Due to Richard’s passion for education, in lieu of flowers, we ask that you support education initiatives by donating in his name to Capt. Mark Tyler Voss Middle School’s FUEL campaign: https://www.vosspto.org/product-page/fuel-campaign-donation