Richard Walter

Richard P. Walter, 55, Overland Park, passed away on December 12, 2011, following a courageous battle with cancer. Rosary will be held at 2 p.m. with visitation to follow until 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 West 103rd Street, Overland Park. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, also at the church. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Rick was born on Feb. 11, 1956, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Howard F. and Rosemary Walter. Rick attended Shawnee Mission South High School, graduating in 1974. He then went on to attend St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colo. In 1976, he left the seminary and returned home to study at Johnson County Community College and later the School of Respiratory Therapy at KU Medical Center. Rick was employed by Shawnee Mission Medical Center for 20 years in the Nutrition Services Department. He was a very loyal employee who rarely missed a day of work and was truly appreciated by all those that he worked with. Rick also worked at Lakeside Hospital, Indian Creek Nursing Home, and he was last employed at Price Chopper in Leawood. Rick attended the St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church for 26 years where he served as an usher. He was truly devoted to his faith and set a wonderful example for all. Rick easily made friends wherever he went. Everyone that met him would comment that he was the nicest guy in the world. All of his nieces and nephews truly loved him. He will be greatly missed by all his family, friends, and the caregivers that came in contact with him through the many months. The family would like to recognize all the wonderful staff at the Manor Care Nursing Home in Overland Park. They would especially like to thank the lead Hospice Nurse Sanja and Brother Daryl. Their care and compassion, along with all the other hospice and Manor Care staff, made the difference over the 20 months of Rick's illness. Rick is preceded in death by his father, Howard, and sister-in-law, Nanci. He is survived by his mother, Rosemary; siblings, Steve (Patti), Jim (Susan), Tom (Laura), Matthew Walter, Sarah (Gary) Nash; 23 nieces and nephews, his close friend, Lynne Tobin, and his cat, Buddy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to Catholic Community Healthcare/Hospice, 9740 West 87th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com Arrangements by D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66210 (913) 451-1860.

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