Heaven gained a brilliant, loving, tender, talented, funny man on March 12th. Dick was born in Atlanta on October 26, 1944, shortly before his father, Navy Commander Lester Hull Wallace, became the only surviving officer of the bombing of the Navy’s ammunition ship Mount Hood on November 10 in the Pacific. Mildred French Wallace, Dick’s mother, owned and operated two private schools and was involved in meetings that resulted in the establishment of NPR. Dick Wallace led a captivating life growing up in Alexandria, Virginia. From a young age, Dick exhibited musical talent and perfect pitch, often playing intricate pieces by ear on multiple instruments. Once to his mother’s alarm, Dick volunteered to play the banjo for a school program even though he’d never played one. He wowed everyone with his performance! Dick was an Eagle Scout, God and Country, and Order of the Arrow in the Boy Scouts. Dick’s family were longtime members of Mount Vernon Place Methodist Church in DC, where he was very active in their youth ministry. In high school, he worked for Arthur Arundel at radio station WAVA in Arlington. One night, the White House called, and President Johnson told Dick how much he enjoyed his musical show. In his capacity as a broadcaster and lover of music, Dick became good friends with a number of soon-to-be famous people, including John Denver; Peter, Paul, and Mary, and members of the Kingston Trio. Dick was a graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. In his 20s, Dick was instrumental in the implementation of Presidential Classroom, a program familiarizing high school students from here and abroad with the US Constitution and the workings of Washington, DC. At that time, Dick was also working for author and columnist Vic Gold in his PR firm. Dick and Susan met in 1969 while Susan was a Page for the DAR’s Continental Congress. They married in 1972 after Susan’s graduation from Wesleyan College in Macon. Susan and Dick lived in Alexandria and Vienna, VA, where Dick was a residential developer. In 1972, Dick served under J. Willard Marriott on the Inaugural Committee for Richard Nixon. Richard Austen, their only child, was born in 1975. In 1981, the family fell in love with and moved to Savannah. Dick, Susan, and Richard joined Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, where Dick served on the Administrative Board, as an usher, an Alpha Class member, and also made the suggestion that the youth ought to serve pancakes on St. Patrick’s to raise money for their projects.

A people lover and proud citizen of Savannah, Dick served the community in many ways: soccer coach at the YMCA for Richard’s team, head of the Military Civilian Affairs for the Savannah Chamber of Commerce, a graduate of Leadership Savannah, a Paul Harris fellow of Rotary West, a member of the St. Andrews Society, Sons of the Revolution, board member of the American Traditions singing competition, Savannah Folk Music Society, and president of Ardsley Park Neighborhood Association. While president of the English Speaking Union, he led many events, including an event on River Street featuring a tattoo by Her Majesty’s Guard while guests viewed the spectacular event from the deck of the Royal Yacht Britannia. He was a former member of Blowing Rock Country Club, Army Navy Country Club, Savannah Golf Club, Chatham Club and the Oglethorpe Club.

Dick was a stockbroker and a realtor, but his true love was music. Based on his experience as a radio personality and friend of many in the music industry, Dick made a proposal to GPB for a show. Creating Music Americana and enjoying that passion for 12 years was really the job he loved most. He was known for his knowledge, humor, and presentations. People enjoyed the personal introductions to his weekly shows by known musicians and pondered the tag line in ads and at the end of the show: “Music Americana-Don’t miss it if you can!”.

Mention Dick’s name to friends and you usually get a smile and a story about something funny he said or did. Known to nieces and nephews as “Funny Uncle Dick,” he will be missed leaving many memorable stories behind. Married for 53 years to the love of his life Susan, Dick is survived by his son Richard and grandchildren Pilot and Julian. Dick is also survived by his sister Linda Yohn and brother Alan Wallace.

Many thanks for the loving care of Compassus Hospice, especially Courtney and Annette, and also Veranda Ferriera. A memorial serrvice will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025, at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Wesley Monumental Music Endowment Fund at Wesley Monumental UMC, 429 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31401