Obituary of Richard A. Wallace Jr.

Richard (Dick) A. Wallace Jr., 89, passed away on April 11, 2021 in Topsham, Maine. The son of the late Richard and Dorothy (Steverman) Wallace, he was born in Quincy MA. He graduated from Milton High School and received his BA in Education from Boston University. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Baumholder, Germany during the Korean War, he went on to receive his MA in Education from the University of Michigan. In 1957 Dick moved to Baltimore, MD to teach at The Park School. He taught classes in Physical Education, Mathematics, and Ancient History, and eventually became the Athletic Director. A well-loved teacher and mentor, Dick taught at Park School for 27 years, during which time he married Dorothy Meeker Patterson and lovingly raised three children, Hydee, Richard, and Sara. He spent summers running Alliquippa, a camp for children, on Casco Bay. At both Park and Alliquippa, Dick fostered and encouraged independence, self confidence, and a strong sense of community. Family and friends meant the world to him and working with young people brought him great joy. Dick has been credited by generations of those he taught for his life-changing influence. Dick retired to Brunswick, ME, where he volunteered at the Woodside Elementary School, and enjoyed playing golf, beachcombing, bird watching, and gardening. In his last years, he suffered from dementia and moved to the Highlands in Topsham where he told stories of his days teaching and running Alliquippa, sharing a good joke, and dancing to Benny Goodman and Dizzy Gillespie. He was lovingly cared for by the staff at the Highlands during his twelve years there. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Ben. Dick is survived by his brother Neil Wallace, his sisters Dorrie Wallace, Mary Brunelle, and Jane Francis; and his three children, Hydee Schaller (Charles), Richard M. Wallace, and Sara K. Wallace; two grandsons, Charlie and Will Schaller, whom he adored; and 15 nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Phippsburg Land Trust either online (Donate button) or mailed to: Phippsburg Land Trust, P.O. Box 123, Phippsburg, ME 04562. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.directcremationofmaine.com