Richard Ray Walters

He was born to Lloyd and Lillian Walters on July 18, 1931 in Wadena, Minnesota. Being raised on a farm in Annandale, Minnesota during the depression taught him to “pinch a penny until Lincoln screamed uncle!" He accepted Jesus early in life, and never wavered in his faith. His was a deep and quiet faith, and he lead by example. After graduating from high school he worked his way through university and earned his MA and BSC degrees. His career took him on many different paths. He worked as a paint developer, taught sciences at Saint Paul Bible College for a semester, and worked in cancer research at the University of Minnesota hospital.

He married Carolyn Lundeen in August of 1955 and they had three daughters born in Minneapolis. In 1962 they moved their family to Abbotsford BC as Richard was asked to be part of the founding faculty of what is now Trinity Western University. Their 4th daughter was born shortly after their move. Richard was a professor at TWU, in the natural sciences for 30 years, retiring in 1992.

His love of God’s creation was instilled in the generations of his family through many travels to national parks, camping trips, and through his collections of rocks and artifacts. He took great pride in the home they built in 1963 and lived there for 62 years until his passing.

One of his greatest joys in recent years was showing his grandkids and great grandkids the working water wheel and pond he built in his own backyard.

He was predeceased by his parents, his sister and two brothers.

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 1/2 years, Carolyn, his daughters Ricka (Elmer) Nickel, Robin Muik, Rhonda (Randy) Hollister, Risa (Ernie) Barkman, 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and one brother.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Heritage Alliance Church, 3440 Mount Lehman Rd., Abbotsford, BC, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM.