Richard Walker Bessom

RICHARD WALKER BESSOM was born July 22, 1948, to the late Richard Moody Besom and Joan Walker Besom and passed away December 28, 2021. 

Richard was born in Marion, Ohio and was known as Rick his entire life. The family moved to California in the 60s and Rick eventually went to a boarding school on Vancouver Island where he graduated from Robert Louis Stevenson High School in Carmel, CA. He went to Colorado College in Colorado Springs where he received his undergraduate degree.

He was a very independent spirit who loved his time in the mountains. As a young man he lived in a mountain cabin in Aspen, CO while he made his living as a ski instructor for thirteen+ years. He then stayed in that area and mastered the skills of a boatman. He eventually took that skill and became a successful boatman on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. He was blessed with many other adventures in his life too, like living in Spain for a while, taking a sailboat trip around the Pacific near Canada, and many others.

He received his Master’s Degree at Arizona State University and became a counselor. He practiced that profession in Northern Arizona and moved to Show Low. He loved his home there that he designed and had built, enjoying his bachelor life. He was very active in AA where he was a sponsor and leader. December 31st, 2021 Rick would have had his 40th Birthday with AA.

Rick had two dogs he loved dearly: a golden retriever named Tucker, and a Jack Russell named Dynamite. He had many special friends throughout his life, and was great at staying in touch with them. He had a big heart, and was a very good, loving man.

He is survived by his two sisters, Lynn Garner and Laura Brownfield.