Richard J. Walters, age 88, died peacefully in his sleep at 7 pm on Thursday, September 26th, at Mother Angeline McCrory Manner in Columbus, Ohio, after a 17-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Richard was born on February 16th, 1936, in Gary, Indiana, to Katherine and Joseph Wachowiak. After graduating from Froebel High School as Valedictorian in 1952, he studied mechanical engineering at Purdue University and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Richard went on to complete a Master of Physics at the University of Chicago in 1963. After graduating, he began working in the steel industry, beginning his forty-five-year career as an engineer. Richard Walters always had a passion for education, an excellence that was passed down to his children and grandchildren.

In 1957, Richard met Marcella Juzwiak through a mutual friend, Reggie Karwowski. Richard and Marcella Walters got married on July 2nd, 1960. Marcella and Richard went on to have a beautiful sixty-four-year long marriage, full of love. They had three children: Richard “Rick” Wachowiak (1961-2022), Katherine Walters (1963), and Mary Frankovich (1967).

Richard was very active in all areas of his life. He was professional and successful in the office, and he is highly regarded by those who had the opportunity to work with him. Richard always found time to be physically active while maintaining many life-long friendships. In 2008, when Richard Walters retired, Richard and Marcella put all their time into being active, supportive grandparents, doing anything they could to support their children and grandchildren.  

Richard Walters was predeceased by his parents, extended family, and son Rick Wachowiak. Richard’s legacy lives on through his wife, Marcella, daughters, Katherine and Mary, and seven grandchildren, Richard “Rick” Wachowiak, Jennifer Wachowiak, Margret “Maggie” Wachowiak, Richard Wisniewski, Abigail “Abby” Frankovich Armor, Susan “Suzie” Frankovich, and Nicholas Eklund.

Services will be held at Fagan Miller Funeral Home in St. John, Indiana on Monday, October 7th and St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville, Indiana, on Tuesday, October 8th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, a cause that is very important to Richard and Marcella Walters, their children, and grandchildren. 

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