Richard Wills
From an early age, Richard Wills was clearly aware that learning how to read was a major source of pressure and frustration. He often had to read through assignments three or four times for full comprehension. Studying was laborious, time consuming and discouraging.
Richard grew up in the 1940s and ’50s – a time when little was known about learning disabilities. Help wasn’t available, so Richard did his best to survive, focusing on math, science and other subjects that were less reading-intensive.
He did survive and went on to college at Roosevelt University in Chicago. He graduated with a degree in mathematics, and went on to do graduate work in computer science, math and instructional technology at Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Southern California.
The pivotal point in his career was the day he noticed an odd-looking “typewriter” in the business office of the Chicago high school where he taught math. It actually was an IBM computer terminal, and Richard’s curiosity led him to ask if he could use it. The computer came with a manual, so Richard taught himself Fortran, the computer’s language. The manual also contained IBM’s phone number, so Richard called and asked for a job! He finished the school year and then started a 27-year career with IBM as a systems engineer.
After retiring from IBM, Richard started a freelance editing and proofreading business. He says his reading disability “makes it very easy to edit because it takes extra care.”
Richard says it’s important that people understand that a learning disability is not “cured” – it is overcome through sheer determination. “It never goes away,” he says. “It’s just a matter of not letting it hold you back.”
In addition to his business, Richard has worked in the volunteer tutoring programs at Children’s Medical Center and Scottish Rite Hospital. He also volunteers for a number of area performing arts groups. And he works with students studying for their GED, and tutors at Richland’s Center for Teaching and Learning Connections.
He continues his lifelong love of learning by attending community events, and taking courses at SMU and in the Emeritus Program at Richland College. Many of the courses he takes at Richland are in performing arts – his passion. He recently received the Richland College Emeritus Program Certificate in Arts and Letters.
Richard’s greatest sources of joy are his sons, Darren and Rob.