Richard Walters Obituary

Richard Joseph Walters, longtime resident of Ben Avon, PA and most recently of Huntingdon, PA. Following prolonged illness, Rich joined his late wife, Laura Ann (Plesluska) Walters, and sisters Dorothy Hurley and Mary Louise Walters in the House of God on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Rich is survived by their three daughters, Allison Sakara (husband Maurice Ramirez), Noelle Walters (husband Eric Bogdahn), and Amy Walters (husband David Billingsley); and three grandchildren, Zoë Salaam, Zachary Walters, and Ella Bogdahn. He also is survived by nieces Anita Dwyer, Jamie Clark, and Kate Scheirman (husband Gerry Scheirman); nephew, Richard Forest Pless; their families; many cousins, friends, and neighbors; caring companion of recent years, Margaret Stephenson; and the entire compassionate staff of Westminster Woods.

McKees Rocks High School sweethearts, Rich and Laura married in 1961. Rich served in the Army National Guard for more than 10 years prior to attending the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1972 and Master’s in 1975. Subsequently, he joined the part-time faculty of Pitt’s Administration of Justice department, teaching there for more than two decades. Rich had a long career in law enforcement that included Training Sergeant for Pitt’s campus police, instructor at the Allegheny County Police Academy, 1977 graduate of the FBI National Academy, and several Director of Security positions. Along with his zany sense of humor, he will be remembered for his love of Steelers football, Smiley cookies, ROMEO lunches, and national parks.

There will be a chapel service at 10am on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Resurrection Cemetery in Moon Twp, PA, followed by interment. In lieu of flowers and for those who wish to make a charitable contribution, please consider the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 (www.woundedwarriorsproject.org) or the National Parks Foundation, 1500 K Street NW Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005 (www.nationalpark.org).

Arrangements entrusted to McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, 334 Forest Grove Road, Coraopolis (Kennedy Township) PA 15108.