Born Sept. 16, 1938
Cleveland, Ohio
Died Feb. 1, 2025
Montpelier, Vermont
Details of services
A celebration of life will be held on May 31, 2025, from 3-6pm at The Notch House Lake Barn in Westmore, VT. www.notchhouse.com. All are welcome.
Richard Andrew Walton
“Dick,” “Dickie,” “DOD,” “Grandpa Dick,” “GUD”
Montpelier, VT
September 16, 1938 – February 1, 2025
Richard Andrew Walton died in his home in Montpelier, VT, at the age of 86, with his wife and daughter by his side. Though his body remained remarkably strong—still chopping wood, hiking, and shoveling driveways—he began showing signs of memory loss in 2017. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2023 and chose to die with dignity by VSED.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dick was the son of Stanley T. Walton and Lurella Belle Linker and the youngest brother to Joan Miller and Jean Lange. He held especially fond memories of his “Nanna” Walton, Nellie May Marsh, who lived with them and shared her talents in cooking, painting, crocheting, and braiding rugs.
After moving to Branford, Connecticut at a young age, Dick attended Hopkins School, which he considered a major influence on his life. He lettered in football, fencing and track (shot put) while working his way through school on a work scholarship and small construction crew. He attended Colby College then spent his “most significant years” in NYC and in the Army, driving big trucks. He worked at the Village Gate on Bleecker St. seeing such influential greats as Dave Brubeck, The Smothers Brothers, Stan Getz, Nina Simone and Judy Henske.
Dick completed two master’s degrees – one in Library Science from Simmons College and another in Business Administration from Goddard College. He worked as a librarian in Vermont at Goddard and Lyndon State College but found his true passion among high school students at Spaulding High School in Barre where he worked as head librarian for over 20 years before retiring in 2000.
In retirement, Dick dedicated many years as a hospice volunteer, taking special pride in supporting veterans at the end of their lives. He would listen to their stories, read to them and even join them in their workshops. He also found deep purpose in practicing Tai Chi, committing to the Yang Long Form daily for nearly 25 years, which contributed to his strength and well-being.
Dick had an eye for beauty and an appreciation for art in all its forms. He loved taking photographs, visiting art museums, and collecting unique driftwood and rocks. He had an undeniable love for good food & drink, sweets, and especially sauces. He delighted in the neighborhood dogs and had a sharp wit, always enjoying “messing with people”.
Dick was complex, generous, brave, passionate, meticulous and caring. He valued his family and friends above all.
He is survived by so many who loved him, including but not exclusive to: His wife of 18 years, Kate Gavin of Montpelier, VT; daughter, Polly Walton Yerkes, her husband Jamie Yerkes and their 3 children: Ruby Lurella, “Gus” Alexander and Lila Sienna of Kirby, VT; stepson Dan Goetz and wife Kasha of St. Augustine, FL.; brother in law, Dick Miller of Middletown, CT and his children: Carol (Miller) Buzby, husband Dave Buzby of Middlebury, VT and Carol’s children Lauren, Eric & Lucy; Jean (Miller) Mariner, husband Paul Mariner of Albuquerque NM and their children Blaise, EmmaLia & Eliza; Eric Miller, wife Juliet Stumpf of Portland, OR and their children Liam & Zander; sister Jean (Walton) Lange of Annapolis, MD and her children: Joan Pfinsgraff and husband Marty, Sue Gunst and husband Gary: Priscilla Summers and husband Nick and Fred Lange and wife Tracey; brother in law Dennis Collins and wife Susie of Norfolk, NE. He is also survived by many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his former wife, Sienna P. Walton, his mother-in-law Betty Phinney and his sister Joan (Walton) Miller.
A celebration of life will be held on May 31, 2025, from 3-6pm at The Notch House Lake Barn in Westmore, VT. www.notchhouse.com. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dick’s name to: CVMC Palliative Care Department online at www.cvmc.org or by mail to: CVMC Office of Development, POB 547, Barre, VT 05641 (make check to CVMC with Palliative Care Department in memo) or to Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Richard Andrew Walton.