Richard R. WALKER

WALKER, Richard R. Q.C. 85, known to family and friends as "Dick" Walker, passed away peacefully at Collingwood General & Marine Hospital in the late hours of October 18, 2009, with "Buddy", his wife and closest friend of 58 years, at his side. Dick will be greatly missed by his family, who loved and cherished his good humour, intellect, thoughtfulness, humanity and compassion.Raised in Toronto, Dick joined the armed services toward the end of WWII, but did not serve overseas due to meningitis, being among the one in five who survived that disease in those days. Attending U of T, Dick became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity where he met many lifelong friends. He received his law degree from Osgoode Hall in 1949 and was called to the Bar in the same year. Dick practiced law in Windsor, Ontario for 32 years. He was the managing partner of Wilson Walker Hochberg and Slopen.In 1951, Dick married Mary Ellen "Buddy" Craig of Brockville. Together they raised three children.Dick became deeply involved with the United Way in Windsor. He served as president for 3 years and director for 9 years. This association lead him to the United Way national executive and the national presidency of the United Way/Centraide from 1982 to 1984. Dick was also involved in many community movements as well as local, provincial and national politics, one of them being the founding chairman of the Community Hospice Association of Ontario.Sailing was one of Dicks great passions, racing for many years in Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie and Lake Huron, and accumulating many flags. He knew Frosty's in Put-in-Bay, and inexplicably enjoyed the Port Huron to Mackinaw race, several times. Sunsets in the North Channel were among his favourites.Dick had a 52 year association with Green Shield Canada, the nation's first prepaid prescription drug plan, which he incorporated as solicitor in 1957. He served as executive chairman of Green Shield from 1987 to 1994 and was a member of its board of directors for 24 years. Dick had a major influence on the development of Green Shield from a small Windsor-based, non-profit health plan into a major, national force in not-for-profit health benefits. His was the primary vision behind the creation of the Green Shield Foundation. He cultivated Green Shields deep commitment to the communities it serves. Dick mentored many individuals over his long life. He took great interest in people and community and left this world better than how he found it.Dick is survived by his wife, Buddy, brother Hugh (Lillian), daughter Joanne (Franz), sons David and Geoffrey (Mimi), and grandchildren, Sven (Sonya), Stefan, Christine (Tony), Mireille, Marie-Helene and Gabrielle. We will celebrate Dick's life on November 6, 2009 from 2-4 p.m. at the Donalda Club, 12 Bushbury Dr. Don Mills. His ashes will be interred at St. Peters Cemetery in Brockville on the banks of the St. Lawrence River in his beloved 1000 Islands, at 1:00 pm on November 7, 2009. His Brockville area friends are invited to attend and to join Dicks family for a small celebration following the interment at the Brockville Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memoriam to Hospice Windsor, the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation or the YMCA of Greater Toronto (YMCA Academy Marie-Helene Walker Founding Student Award endowment). Friends may visit Dick's on-line Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com Published in the Windsor Star on 10/30/2009