The Hon. Richard B. Walker (Ret.) was a judge for the 9th Judicial District Court of Kansas. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor John Carlin in 1984. Walker retired on August 1, 2015, and assumed senior status.
The 9th Judicial District includes Harvey and McPherson Counties.
Walker served for thirteen years as Chief Judge of the 9th Judicial District. Following his transition to senior status, he then presided on the Kansas Court of Appeals.
Prior to joining the bench, he was a partner at Ice, Turner & Ice. Before joining the firm, Walker was vice chairman of the Kansas Adult Authority; chief legislative assistant to Senator James Pearson in Washington, D.C. (1977 to 1978); and a partner at Adrian & Walker, where he began his legal career in 1973. He also served for three terms in the Kansas House of Representatives.
Walker received a bachelor’s degree in history from Bethel College in 1970. He then completed a J.D. at the University of Kansas School of Law in 1973.
He was an elected member of the Kansas Historical Foundation Board of Directors (past president) and an appointed member of the Kansas Guardianship Program. Walker was also active with the Boy Scouts, serving as pack chairman and den leader, and was involved with the Newton Rotary Club.
Born and raised in Newton, Kansas, his hobbies include military history and the history of central Kansas.