Richard Lynn Wallace was born June 8, 1953 in Renton, Washington to parents Richard Leo Wallace and Frances May Wallace (née Knisley).  He died October 25, 2021 in San Francisco, age 68.  An adorable little boy with big brown eyes we called him “Dickie” a name left behind with childhood.  

 

Richard’s parents married on September 2, 1952 in Seattle.  Richard’s mother was first married to Cecil Ray Moore in Independence, MO.  They divorced in 1949.  When Richard was born, he joined big sister, Leah Rae (me), 16 years older & a sort of older brother, Robin Gary Moore, age 5.  His parents met at Lake City Ammunition plant in Independence.  His father worked in the aircraft industry & the family shuttled around the west for years, beginning 6 weeks after he was born.  After leaving Seattle, they moved to Kansas City, MO; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Wichita, KS; Boulder, CO; Thornton, CO; San Diego, CA; Littleton, CO; Telluride, CO & finally Englewood, CO.  It was a complicated life for a child, but Richard made friends easily.  After settling in the Denver area, the family enjoyed weekends in the Rocky Mountains.  They pitched a large tent near spectacular mountain views, cooked over a cozy campfire & spent their days exploring ghost towns.

 

He attended a dizzying array of grade schools, Englewood High School & Community College of Denver.  His parents divorced in 1965.  At age 22,  Richard survived a brush with death when he contracted Guillain-Barré disease.  It was touch-and-go when he had an emergency tracheotomy.  In time he recovered with no hint of paralysis.

 

The far west called in 1976 & Richard moved to San Francisco.  He absolutely loved this city.  He didn’t drive & grocery shopping wasn’t easy.  Maybe you remember the man with the salt & pepper beard, backpack & little grey “dad hat” in the Castro district.  He felt it was important to support Mom & Pop stores during the pandemic, the same as he always had.  

 

Our family loved board games & Richard could beat any of us.  I don’t know how he did it.  He was a gracious winner, though.  At the end of a game, he would just give us a simple sweet smile.

 

If I wanted to know anything about a film, be it animated, classic or film noir, he knew the answers; cast, director & plot.  Richard vacationed in such diverse places as Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Hollywood, Las Vegas, Hawaii, New Orleans, Virgin Islands, Key West, Atlanta, Cape Cod & Maine. And he had the tattered suitcases to prove it.  

 

When the Beatles became international stars, he was only 11, and he was a fan for decades.  George Harrison had a unique talent, he felt.  He amassed a huge collection (over 800) of classic rock vinyl LPs.  His collection can be found at The Groove Merchant, 687 Haight Street, San Francisco.

 

One December I visited Richard in S.F.  After we cooked an enormous Christmas banquet for two, he proudly proclaimed, “We didn’t ruin anything!”

 

For 24 years, he was a Data Analyst at the California Dept. of Health, Childhood Lead Prevention in Richmond, CA.  He enjoyed his elder statesman role there, retiring in September 2019. 

 

He planned his Halloween costume months in advance (maybe years if truth be known).  He almost always won 1st prize at the office party with his head-to-toe perfect ensembles.  He morphed into Geppetto dangling Pinocchio.  Mr. Monopoly in top hat & money bag.  Sully Sullenberger with uniform, cap & badge.  Carl from the movie Up complete with tennis balls on the cane. 

 

After his death, I found a tote bag of rolled coins.  It weighs 47 lbs.!  There is a coin shortage & it looks like Richard caused part of it.  I’ll get them to the bank ASAP.

 

As a lifelong smoker, his lungs were compromised.  Richard’s health began to decline dramatically in March 2021 when he was diagnosed with lung cancer.  It was heartbreaking to learn that he died at home alone.  

 

Richard was predeceased by his father in 2003, his mother in 2007 & his brother, Robin in 2015.  His much-loved partner of 6 years, Richard Wolfgang Tietze, died in 1993.  Each time a family member dies, a part of you dies.  Treasure, respect & honor them after they are gone.  By telling their stories, we keep them alive.

 

Richard is survived by his sister, Leah Rae, Laguna Woods, CA; nephew, Brian Kent Foster, Overland Park, KS; & loving cousin Carley Knisley Cole, Olds, Alberta, Canada.

 

What I wouldn’t give to hear Richard’s delightful giggle just one more time. 

 

Arrangements by Tulip Cremation.  No services planned.