Walter Fletcher Richardson

February 15, 1925-March 15, 2007

After a brief struggle with cancer, Walter Richardson passed away peacefully in his home on March 15, 2007. He was born to E. William and Helen Richardson in Los Angeles on February 15, 1925, spent his childhood there and in Newport Beach, where he attended Newport Beach Elementary School. He was an Eagle Scout, a graduate of El Monte Union High School, Pasadena City College and USC, where he earned a B.S. in Business and later an M.S. in Education. During WWII, he joined the Army and served in the 101 st Airborne Division and the 327th Glider Infantry. He participated in the Normandy Invasion for which he was decorated with the Bronze Star. After the war, he met the love of his life, Helen Fuchs, a school teacher whom he married while a supervisor for the European Post Exchange in Germany. He successfully completed a graduate year abroad at the University of Zurich, studying German language and literature. He and Helen lived in Germany until 1955, then settled in Costa Mesa with their two children, Horst and Heidi. He was a dedicated, enthusiastic, and resourcedful teacher for 34 years - at Rea Middle School, Newport Harbor High School and Corona del Mar High School. He touched the lives of hundreds of special education students before he retired in 1989. Walter enjoyed domestic and international travel, visiting his children and grandchildren, and taking care of his garden and exotic fruit trees. Walter was an avid theater-goer, participated in a play reading group, loved the ocean and water aerobics, and was a member of the Oasis Sailing Club. In recent years, he and his brother, Kenny traveled the world together.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, and his younger brother Dick.

He is survived by his daughter, Heidi Fox and husband Gerald of Portland, Oregon; his son, Horst Richardson and wife Helen of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren Erik Richardson, Stacia Arcila, Wendy Knight, and Peter Fox; two great grandchildren, Alexander Knight and Indigo Arcila; and two brothers, Bill Richardson of Littleton, Colorado and Kenny Richardson of Oxnard, California.

There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, March 31st at noon at his Costa Mesa home.

Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Naature Conservancy, California Field Office, 201 Mission St., Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105.