Richard Waters

Richard Adolphus Waters, artist and inventor, passed away on July 4, 2013. Born September 19, 1935, Dickie Waters grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where his family owned Gulf Hills Dude Ranch in the 1950′s and 1960′s. He graduated from USM in 1961, where he was a member of KA fraternity. In 1965 he received his MFA from the California College of Arts in Oakland, CA.

Dickie was a special spirit interested in many fields–mostly sundry art forms, all forms of music, and horticulture. He also worked in hotel management. He made important contributions in all fields. Richard was a teacher, author, speaker, and performance artist, who lectured and performed in many venues. His art work has been shown in galleries all over the U.S. A self-taught horticulturist, Richard, an expert in bamboo, served on the Board of Directors for both the Northern California and Hawaii Chapters of the American Bamboo Society. Moreover, Dickie was a kind and loving person with an infectious laugh for all his buddies. He treasured his many friends.

Although an accomplished painter, Mr. Waters was best know as the inventor of the waterphone, a world reknowned musical instrument featured in soundtracks of numerous motion pictures and TV productions, such as Star Trek, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix, Bugsy, Poltergeist, and Kung Fu series–endeavors too numerous to mention. The waterphone is an integral part of every major symphony and every major musical entity, for example Aerosmith, in the world. He created each instrument by hand as a work of art and was constantly in demand for more and more hand crafted instruments.

Richard’s many honors include the following: 1965 Lytton Award in Painting, Oakland, CA; 1977 Ford Foundation Research Grant of LaJolla, CA., Mississippi Arts Commission Grant. To learn of his many honors and achievements and his contributions.

Mr. Waters was preceded in death by his father and mother, Dick and Gladys Waters, former owners of Gulf Hills Dude Ranch.

Dickie leaves behind his daughter author Rayme Waters, her husband Kurt Adzema, and grandaughter Eva of Palo Alto,CA; his sister Pernette (Porter) Berhendt of Monroe NC; his dearest friend Linda Anne Scott of Gulfport, and many friends and admirers.

The family will observe a celebration of life memorial service at some time in the future. In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, 510 Washington Ave., Ocean Springs 39564 or to the art organization of their choice.