Tabor, Hillsboro communities unite to remember Richard Wall
Many members of the Tabor College and Hillsboro communities met to remember the life of Dr. Richard G. Wall during a special memorial service held Friday, April 8. Wall served as professor of biology at Tabor College.
Students, as well as Tabor staff and faculty members, both current and former, shared their memories of Wall.
"One of the things I remember about him is that he was very inspirational," said chemistry student Sara Berg of Hillsboro. "He was always willing to give of himself for us."
Dr. Allen Hiebert said one of Wall's greatest interests was discussing how faith and science fit together.
"He was firmly convinced that there could be no conflict and that there was a great deal of mystery in both
Hiebert serves as professor of chemistry, chair of the Division of Natural and Mathematical Sciences and chair of the Chemistry Department, and worked alongside Wall for 21 years.
Chris Hutson, a biology student from Wichita, said it was a blessing how his former professor cared about Tabor students and their interests. He also commented on Wall's servant-like attitude.
"He never glorified himself. It was just so amazing to me the incredible things he did and also the incredible things that I'm learning now that he did and never talked about. He just did them silently in service. He was a great role model for me."
Although he was unable to attend the service and share his reflections in person, Brandon Hendrix, a 2004 graduate who majored in biology, reflected on his relationship with Wall in an e-mail interview.
"I spent many hours with Dr. Richard Wall both within, as well as many hours outside of, the classroom. He was a very approachable and comforting professor," said Hendrix. "The loss of Dr. Wall will be felt by many, especially his family, the Hillsboro community and Tabor College."
Wall, a 1972 Tabor graduate, first accepted a two-year teaching assignment at Tabor while another professor worked on his doctorate. Wall himself earned his master's and doctoral degrees in 1975 and 1980, respectively, from Oklahoma State University.
From 1977 to 1980, he served as instructor of biology, then established Tabor's agriculture program in 1980. He held the title of assistant professor of agriculture from 1980 to 1985, and associate professor of agriculture from 1985 to 1989.
Wall returned to microbiology and genetics after the agriculture program's closure. He served as chair of the Natural and Mathematical Sciences Division from 1987 to 1991, associate professor of biology from 1989 to 1991 and professor of biology from 1992 to the present.
His community involvement included the Hillsboro Historical Society and Museum, the Hillsboro Tree Board, the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies at Tabor College, the Goessel Threshing Days and Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. He also built the Jacob Friesen Dutch flour mill in Hillsboro using only one known photograph as a blueprint.
Wall, 55, passed away Easter Sunday after being diagnosed in May 2004 with myelodysplastic syndrome, which, according to The Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation website, is "a collection of disorders in which the bone marrow does not produce enough blood cells."
The bone marrow normally produces three major types of blood cells: red, white and platelets. In those diagnosed with MDS, this process breaks down and blood cells do not develop properly, resulting in a lack of healthy blood cells in the body.
Although MDS is not itself considered a cancer, it can progress to acute myeloid leukemia. This did not occur in Wall's case.
Following the service, held in Tabor's Chapel-Auditorium, a magnolia tree was planted in honor of Wall.
