Richard Fyjis-Walker was born 19 June 1927, the son of Harold and Marion Fyjis-Walker. He was educated at Bradfield College and Magdalene College, University of Cambridge (MA) and married (1st), in 1951, Barbara Graham-Watson, having one son; and (2nd), in 1972, Gabrielle Josefi, also having one son.

After serving three years in the army (The King's Royal Rifle Corps), 1945-48, then another four years in the City, Fyjis-Walker joined the Foreign Service in 1955. His diplomatic career included: Amman [Jordan], 1956; Foreign Office, 1957-61; Paris [France], 1961-63; Cairo [Egypt], 1963-65; Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1966-71; Counsellor, 1970; Ankara [Turkey], 1971-74; Counsellor (Information), Washington [United States], 1974-78; Counsellor, UK Mission to United Nations, New York, 1978-79; Ambassador to the Sudan, 1979-84; Ambassador to Pakistan, 1984-87. Following his retirement from the Diplomatic Service, Fyjis-Walker served as Chairman of the Commonwealth Institute, 1988-93. He died on 17 September 2013.