Obituary of Richard D. Walter

Richard was born on November 14, 1930 to Edward and Ottilie Walter.  He was made a child of God in his baptism at Zion Lutheran Church in Bridgeport, Connecticut on December 13, 1930.  On June 13, 1943, in that same church, he proclaimed his faith in Christ at his confirmation.

Richard married his confirmation classmate and high school sweetheart Shirley Martha Marks on September 12, 1953, and they had seven children together:  Charles, James, Robert, Claire, Mark, Amy, and Paul.  Later on, they welcomed sons- and daughters-in-law to their family:  Cindy, Lynn, Vilia, Ed, Twyla, Kim, Phil, and Lauren.  In the almost seventy years that they were married, they were blessed with twenty grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren.

Richard’s life was dedicated to leadership and service:

He served his country as a radarman in the US Navy during the Korean conflict.  When he returned home, he married, and supported his growing family while earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Bridgeport. 

His employment culminated in a career as a realtor, where he served as the president of the Ridgefield Board of Realtors for several years.  He was a member of the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lions Club, and financially supported many charitable organizations.

Richard served God in various churches in roles that ranged from president of the congregation and chairman of the Board of Lay Ministry to giving shut-ins a ride to church and delivering audio cassette tapes of the church service to those who could not attend.

For the past 5 decades, Richard found immense pleasure singing with the Danbury Mad Hatters barbershop chorus.  His quartet, Real Chemistry, brought many people joy as they delivered singing valentines all over the area.

The bedrock of his entire life was his unwavering faith in Christ.  On December 2, 2023, Richard heard the words of our Lord, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”, and departed to his heavenly home.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his dear sister Cynthia Limmer, his son Robert, his granddaughter ­­­­­­­­­Zoe, and his beloved wife Shirley.  We rejoice that all of these loved ones are with their Savior in heaven.

Calling hours will begin at 9:00 AM on Thursday, December 28 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 18 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, CT.  The funeral will begin at 10:00 AM at Immanuel, followed by an internment with military honors at Fairlawn Cemetery, 82 North Salem Road in Ridgefield and a luncheon at the First Congregational Church at 103 Main Street in Ridgefield. 

The service will be livestreamed at the following link:  https://youtube.com/live/41jk-bypH9k?feature=share

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church.