Richard Eugene Walters

Richard Eugene Walters, age 86, of Springdale, Arkansas, died at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale on December 31, 2012. He was born November 19, 1926 in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Russell and Eva Walters. He was a retired physician, active in his profession for 39 years, graduating from the Kansas University School of Medicine in 1951. He served his internship at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas, and surgical residency at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. Following completion of his residency in psychiatry at the Arkansas Medical Center and State Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, he completed his certificate as a Member of the Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He served as Chief of Forensic Services at the State Hospital and later consulted with the Arkansas Juvenile Reception Center Youth Home, and served as Commissioner of Juvenile Services, which was an appointment of Gov. Dale Bumpers from 1971 to 1973. Dr. Walters became a pioneer in the Community Health Movement, serving Regional Centers at Pine Bluff, Newport and Ft. Smith, Arkansas. After a period of Private Practice in Little Rock, Dr. Walters joined the Veterans Administration and opened mental health clinics in Van Buren and Fayetteville before retirement in 1987. He served a tour of duty during World War II in the Navy and as a Flight Surgeon in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Richard married Phyllis Holman on April 9, 1950, and they had two sons. One son, Robin Walters, preceded him in death in 1989. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis, his son, Richard Edward Walters, and one grandchild. He was a member and elder of First Presbyterian Church in Springdale. Memorial services will be held, Friday, January 4, 2013, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Springdale, with Rev. Stewart Smith officiating. Private burial was held at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville with Military Honors provided by Bella Vista VFW Post 9063Honor Team. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent in lieu of flowers to First Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Gutensohn Road, Springdale, Arkansas 72762.