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Richard Waters Missing Person Case

Last seen in Bend, Oregon on Nov 22, 1967

Victim Details

Oct 28, 2019

Mar 6, 2024

Richard

Waters

95

37

70 inches

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Nov 22, 1967

Bend

Oregon

Deschutes County

No

66042

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office

Bend

Oregon

Deschutes County

97701

63333 Highway 20, Oregon

5413886655

County

Law Enforcement

https://sheriff.deschutes.org/

13-154342

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office

9862

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

Oct 12, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP61162) and 1 other source
On a crisp autumn day, November 22, 1967, 37-year-old Richard Henry Waters and his wife were enjoying a hike in the scenic yet rugged wilderness of Mt. Bachelor near Bend, Oregon. The couple, accompanied by their family dog, took in the natural beauty of the area. At some point during their walk, a simple, everyday thought prompted a brief separation. His wife decided to head back toward their car on her own to make sure it was locked. This brief parting would tragically be their last.

When Mrs. Waters returned to the spot on the trail where she had left her husband and their dog, they were nowhere to be found. After her initial calls and searches for Richard went unanswered, she made her way back to their vehicle. Realizing something was seriously wrong, she drove down the mountain road to seek help from law enforcement. The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office was alerted, and an extensive search and rescue operation was launched in the days that followed. Despite the determined efforts of multiple search teams combing the area, no trace of Richard was ever discovered.

The only glimmer of hope in the immediate aftermath was the reappearance of the family dog. Two days after Richard vanished, the dog was found alive, approximately one mile from the location where Richard was last seen. The dog, however, could not lead rescuers to its missing owner. Richard was wearing a light blue nylon parka, a red wool plaid shirt, a navy knit wool stocking cap, custom-made black and charcoal wool ski pants, and nine-inch high leather hiking boots. The disappearance of Richard Henry Waters has remained an enduring mystery, a story of a routine day in the mountains that ended in unexplained loss, leaving his family with unanswered questions that have stretched across decades.
Last Seen: Nov 22, 1967

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP61162

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    75%Possible
    John Doe — Bend, Oregon - unidentified case UP60173
    John Doe — Bend, Oregon
    UP60173 • Found Nov 27, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 37 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%Same area, same county
    TimingFound 37 years after last seen
    Height 84%6'0" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%180 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Has anyone here looked into the Richard Waters disappearance from Bend, Oregon back in '67? I was... ...Read More
    11/21/2024

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