Here is a sampling of a few of the comments from BC readers about the death of BC Editorial Board Member and columnist, Dr. Ron Walters, PhD.

Dr. Ronald Walters: Activist Scholar, Man of the People, Friend

In the past few days since learning of the untimely death of Dr. Ronald Walters, I have reflected with many of my Howard University colleagues about the importance and impact of his life, and felt compelled to share what my personal experience was with this hero of a man.

Dr. Walters had apparently been sick for a while, but his large spirit and commitment to all of us would not let it be known publicly

But I'm not surprised.  Let me share a story with you. 

Back in the 1990’s, former Howard University Student Association President Howard Newell collaborated with several fellow alumni to form an organization called RISE (Reaching Inside for Self-Esteem), which developed programs to address social and community issues affecting youth and adults in D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8.  I became a board member of RISE just before the sudden demise of Howard in 2005.  To keep Howard’s promise of honoring community leaders with an awards event, the remaining board members and staff of RISE began our annual Howard Newell Community Awards event that year.  In 2008, we were doing our RISE occasion at THEARC in Southeast Washington.  I'd asked Dr Walters to be the keynote speaker, and he agreed.  I affectionately called him the "Forgetful Professor," because as well as his intentions were, he just had so much on his plate that he would unwittingly forget to meet an engagement.  So, when I called him the night before, he not only did not have the RISE event on his calendar, he actually had another appointment scheduled, but promised he would make his RISE speech.  I called Dr. Walters the day of the event again, and he had yet again forgotten, but he kept his word.  He showed up and gave a rousing tribute to RISE's founder, whom he had taught, and gave us all a directive to continue the kind of activism that he had inspired in Howard and so many others.  There were only about 60 people in an auditorium that holds about 1,500 that night, but you could not tell since Dr. Walters was not at all phased by the light audience.  As I escorted Dr. Walters out, I hugged him, and he grimaced, because had just had surgery!  But he loved us so much that he came anyway.

I didn't study under Dr. Ron at Howard but was blessed to be his "student' in my civic work at the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (www.ncbcp.org), where he was a stalwart board member, insightful advisor and engaged, active supporter.  He was what I called an "activist scholar" in the truest sense.  He LOVED HIS PEOPLE, FIRST, and challenged us to fight against anything or anyone who would deem us other than brilliant, resilient, beautiful. He was never really given the due he deserved, in my opinion, but at the end of the day I, and so many of us, have had the sheer honor and privilege to sit in his presence and counsel, and were always assured that he had our back. 

I will miss him madly.  

- Nancy C. Harvin

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My sincere condolences to the loss of your beloved family member, Dr. Ron Walters.  He contributed much to the cause of justice and equality. His firm moral leadership will be missed by all of us.

- Diana Gwinn

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The tradition of Dr Amos Wilson and Dr Booby Wright live on in Dr Marable but I would hope the word hustlers Gates, Dyson and Don Lee would take note .Finally will miss the words written and spoken by Dr. Ron Walters.

- Ted Lewis

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To the family of Dr. Ron Walters:

May I offer my condolences on your loss. Know that many people have been touched and changed by Dr. Walters. I am a white independent journalist and lifelong anti-racism activist (grew up in the South, have lived in MN 20+ years). Only in recent years---through Black Commentator and programs on C-SPAN--did I know about Dr. Walters’ work. His analysis and ideas have spurred me to sharper questions and deeper insights that I know will make me a better ally in the struggle to (finally) end racism in the U.S. His life's work will continue to bear much fruit in the cause of justice.

- Lydia Howell

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Dr. Walters' passing is a profound loss to African peoples and to progressive people in this country and worldwide.  Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.  Ron's life was dear and made a deep impact on many others.

Yours in solidarity,

Faye V. Harrison
Joint Professor of African American Studies and Anthropology
University of Florida

(Student of the late Dr. St. Clair Drake, Pan-Africanist scholar activist)