Mr. Waller was a lifelong resident of Newark, NJ for 68 years until his retirement to Charlotte, NC in 2017. He started college at Lincoln University, PA then earned his Bachelor's degree in Sociology/ Urban Studies at Rutgers-Newark. He then attended Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, in the Dept. of Urban Planning & Development. Mr. Waller worked in Planning & Development for 44 years in a range of positions. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, The American Planning Association, New Jersey Planning Officials and The Black New Jersey Licensed Professional Planners.

Mr. Waller was very active in the Development scene in Newark. He was a Commissioner on the Newark Master Plan Working group, the Zoning Ordinance Revision Committee, the Urban Enterprise Zone, Newark Community Development Network, and the Ad HOC Committee for University Heights, an original board member of the Newark Collaboration Group, Newark Rotary Club, United Way community services assessment and on the Board of Newark Emergency Services for Families. Mr. Waller also worked on securing the initial funding for the creation of an African American Cultural Center at the Krueger-Scott Mansion and the Newark Arena Planning Association stopping the Rte 75 Mid-Town Connector.

Mr. Waller's last position was as Chief of Housing Production at the Newark Housing Authority for 26 years. There he was responsible for the development of several thousand townhouse units of replacement public and affordable housing, including 1,777 units under U.S. District Court Order. This work required extensive interaction and coordination with HUD and the demolition of all family high rise developments which gave Newark its moniker, "Brick City".

The many completed public townhouse projects had reestablished main Newark neighborhoods including North Newark, West Side Park Area, South Ward/Clinton/Avon/W. Bigelow Area, Elizabeth Valley and the Central Ward. His work on this housing made Newark one of the most prolific producers of such housing in the country.

Mr. Waller also received for NHA over $5M in federal funding for the Waterfront Community Center, one of the three developed by the NHA.

Prior to Housing Authority, Mr. Waller was Executive Director of the Central Ward Coalition, Vice President of Community Development for the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce, Principal Planner for the NJ Dept. of Human Services, and Planner for the Architects' Community Design Center and the Mayor's Policy and Development Office.

Mr. Waller was also actively politically. He participated in the Black & Puerto Rican political convention of 1969, which selected and successfully elected Kenneth Gibson, the first black mayor of the city of Newark in 1970. He also worked with campaigns of Earl Harris, George Branch, Donald Tucker, Mildred Crump and James Jenkins of Irvington. Waller was also co- campaign chairman of Ralph T. Grant for his run for congress in 1988.

Mr. Waller's family in Newark goes back to the 1920s where his parents were among the founders of Metropolitan Baptist Church and were the first couple married under its auspice. Mr. Waller was active in the Newark Youth Council during 1960s. He also was the disc jockey for the youth parties at Newark's downtown YMCA, and was the social dancer at many clubs and discotheques in Newark and New York City.

While at Rutgers-Newark he was an active member of the Black Organization of Students (BOS). His efforts in that organization aided in the formation of the Equal Opportunity Fund to allow minority students to obtain financing and mentoring for college education. He served as Rutgers-Newark representative to Governor Cahill's Student Liaison Graduate Student's Association.

Although not a work-study student, Mr. Waller always worked throughout college, whether at the Newark Post Office during holidays, or at the Newark Public Library or at the Dana Library on Rutgers-Newark's campus. He always had an affinity for libraries and reading.

Mr. Waller was passionate about automobiles, the study of Black History, Culture & Philosophy, Audio/Video Home Theater, and movies. He and his son attended films weekly and he had a vast collection of DVDs and videotapes. Mr. Waller had a strong interest in Black Cinema and was a 12-year member of the Selection Committee of the Newark Black Film Festival. Mr. Waller also designed and built Home Theater Systems.

Mr. Waller's interest in automobiles varied from repair and detailing to vintage and classic automobiles. He and his wife attended many auto shows and he also owned a variety of unique automobiles including muscle cars, performance sedans, sports cars and even a 1991 BMW 850i V12. Mr. Waller was a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. He was initiated into Upsilon Phi Chapter 1971. He subsequently became a member of Pi Phi Chapter Charlotte NC. Mr. Waller was very proud that his only son decided to follow in his footsteps and became an Omega Man in 2011.

Mr. Waller is survived by the love of his life, Tanya D. Caesar- Waller, of 50 years, son, Randolph Allen Lonnie Waller, father in law Herbert Caesar, sister in laws, Darcel Caesar, Rochelle Alicea (Freddy), Collette Caesar, and Yvette Mouton, brother in law Herb Caesar, and a host of nephews.