AUGUST 1,2008
letters
JUStlOUt 5
TRANSITIONS
Dick Walker, 1935-2008
Think for Yourself
To the E ditor :
In response to the letter “HRC Shirks on
Senate Race,” whether the Human Rights
Campaign endorses a candidate or not is not
important [July 3]. What is important is obtain
ing a Democratic, filibuster-proof majority in the
Senate.
If we are to further our causes, now is the time
to strike. If we are fortunate enough to elect a
Democratic president and hold the majority in
Congress, we can get things passed and stop at
tempts by Republicans to prevent gay marriage
nationally.
I say we can make up our own mind on who to
vote for. We do not need any formal organization
to tell us that.
D avid F letcher
Salem
Open Invitation
To the E ditor :
1 am a child of Twin Falls, Idaho.
When 1 left Idaho for college here in Oregon,
1 wasn’t yet out, yet 1 knew that the life 1 wanted
to-have for myself could not be reached staying in
my hometown. 1 grew up understanding that you
were welcomed and accepted as long as you didn’t
rock the boat.
Within Idaho’s families, they know their chil
dren, their siblings and their co-workers are gay
and lesbian. However, there is a fear of the differ
ent, whether it is with the GLBT community or
the divorced or widowed.
1 think inviting South Idahoans to Portland
Pride is a nice gesture [“Like a G lxx I Neighbor,”
July 18]. Going to Idaho to give GLBT groups our
support and solidarity and reach out to the greater
community that we’re all human would be the
greater gesture.
M ary S lavin
Portland
With Friends Like These
To the E ditor :
Regarding rhe July 18 article “McMenamins
Buys Former Club Portland,” it is disappointing
that Just Out would interject a smug and pointless
condescension directed at the former patrons of
the Club Portland building by referring to them
as “the dance-happy queens of the old Silverado
and the doped-up dudes lounging in their birth
day suits at Club Portland.”
With journalism like this, who needs mali
cious bigotry?
K im B arigar
Portland
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Dr. Richard E. “Dick" Walker of Lake Oswego
died May 31 in Terrebonne. He was 73.
Walkerwas born April 14,1935, inShelbyville,
Ill. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in
1953. After high schixil he attended University
of Illinois and graduated in 1958 from Millikin
University in Decatur, 111.
Walker taught industrial arts at Lakeview
High School in Decatur from 1958 to 1961. He
received a master’s of education from University
of Illinois in 1962. Then he became a profes
sor at Northern Illinois University from 1962 to
1964. He received a doctorate of education from
University of Northern Colorado in 1967. He was
a professor at St. Cloud State College from 1967
to 1972, then Western Oregon State College
(now Western Oregon University) from 1972 un
til retiring in 1996 in many roles including chair
man of the special education division.
He married Beverly Ann in 1959. They di
vorced in 1989 but maintained a friendship.
Walker was a life member of the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, joining in January
1963. He helped with the Casey Eye Institute and
Meadowixxl Springs through his involvement with
the Elks and served as chairman of the Children
Eye Clinic since 2005, the Physical Handicap
Committee from 1979 to 1982 and the Meadowixxl
Springs Committee from 1982 to 1985.
After his retirement, Walker enjoyed travel
ing. He visited Europe, Africa, Central American,
Australia, Hawaii and Fiji. He also liked cooking
and dining out.
He enjoyed being with his daughter and
grandkids and spending quiet time at his second
home in Terrebonne with his partner of 19 years,
Marc Walters.
Walker was one of the gay and lesbian seniors
honored by the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus in a
Vintage Voices performance and video montage.
Walker was in the Human Rights Campaign
Federal Club and was active in the Portland
Cookboys. He also served on the Oregon plan
ning group for HIV prevention.
In addition to his partner, survivors include
his daughter Teri L. Smith and husband Bret
of Portland; grandchildren, Kelby, Mackenzie,
Kixly and Claire Smith; and sister, Judy Brewer,
and husband Jeff of West Lafayette, Ind. He was
preceded in death by his parents and his daughter
Jodi Walker.
Donatiorfe may be given in Walker’s name
to Our House of Portland, 2727 S.E. Alder St.,
Portland, OR 97214. For more information call
503-234-0175.
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