Walters, Dick H. (1907-1967) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

For an entire generation the name of Dick Walters was associated with the Reformed Bible Institute (later known as the Reformed Bible College).  Rev. Dick H. Walters served as president during the crucial formative years when the Institute grew from a small struggling school meeting in an empty store on Wealthy Street to the established and recognized educational center on a beautiful campus on Robinson Road.

Dick Walters made the Institute a viable school when he promoted it as the place to prepare mission workers for the many mission chapels established in the neighborhood of Christian Reformed Churches.  And unordained workers, graduates from the Bible Institute, were also used in home and world mission stations.  The Institute became an important unit in the educational program of the Church and received moral and financial support.

After serving the Reformed Bible Institute for twenty-three years it became necessary to restrict his activities because of failing health.  He continued to serve as president-emeritus for another year and a half.  On his sixtieth birthday, as he left his home to work at the Institute, he was suddenly stricken with a heart attack and passed away.

Dick Walters was born in the vicinity of Borculo, MI, December 11, 1907.  He began his studies at Calvin College with the intention of becoming a teacher, but an inner urge to enter the ministry prompted him to continue in theological studies and he graduated from the Seminary in 1933.  All through his ministry he revealed himself to be an effective preacher and teacher.

After serving a congregation in Prairie City, Iowa (1933-1938), he went to Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Holland, MI, then one of the largest congregations.  Five years later, in 1943, he became president of the Reformed Bible Institute in Grand Rapids.

During his ministry he wrote a number of catechism books which were used extensively in Reformed and Christian Reformed Churches.  He was one of the founders of the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds located on the shores of Lake Michigan near Grand Haven.  His radio ministry included prayer time and preaching on local stations as well as being an occasional speaker in the early days of the Back-to-God Hour radio ministry of the Christian Reformed Church.

Rev. and Mrs. D.H. Walters were the parents of three children.  Mrs. Walters (Susan De Groot) passed away January 1967.

Our collection includes many of Dick Walters sermon outlines.  It will be observed that he seldom wrote his sermons.  This was also true of his many addresses.  The Reformed Bible Institute has many of his messages on tape.