Wallace J. Walsh

1932 - 2016

Wallace J. Walsh Feb. 18, 1932 - August 11, 2016 Wallace J. "Wally" Walsh passed away on August 11, 2016. He was born on February 18, 1932 to Wallace and Pauline Walsh in Longview, Wash. who owned a sawmill in Ryderwood, Wash. He was exposed to the rigors and hard work of the timber industry at an early age and in his teens also learned to fly and became an accomplished pilot. It was in his late teens that he joined the Navy and served on several submarines in the Pacific. Upon discharge he returned to his roots in the forest industry when he opened a lumber yard in south Seattle. He continued to work in this field for many years, working for large companies in their Marketing and Human Resource Departments, enabling him to display his people skills and ingenuity related to problem solving. 1972 brought about a career change when he entered into the healthcare field when he and wife, Donna, came to Snohomish, Wash. and transitioned the Delta Rehabilitation Center from a stoic nursing home into a happier and brighter Snohomish Chalet. This started a path that saw him fight long and hard for those that were handicapped or differently abled. One of his first accomplishments in the health field was to play and instrumental role in creating the Washington Healthcare Association, designed to represent and support all long term care in the State. In 1975 his son, Michael, was severely brain injured in a motor vehicle accident; this led to the creation of the unique "Brain Injury" program at the Chalet. The momentum from this program became important step in the formation of the Washington Brain Injury Association and the National Brain Injury Association. These organizations are instrumental to providing references to information and services for family members that have a loved one who has experienced brain injury. He was a member of several organizations. As a leader in Boy Scouts, he not only was able to help and guide his sons, but the sons of many other families. For these efforts he was awarded Scout's "Silver Beaver" Award, the highest recognition of leadership. A dual member of both the Tillicum Kiwanis of Snohomish and the Kiwanis Club of Snohomish he championed many causes, always to benefit children. He led endlessly for such causes as Bicycle Helmet Programs, Shaken Baby Syndrome and car seats for infants and youth. Recently he directed his concerns to feeding hungry children, Kiwanis Children's Cancer Project, and the establishment of concussion protocol for athletics. He was a frequent visitor to Olympia to advocate and lobby for the ADA and related causes. Wally was well-known in the community for being an extremely generous man with his time, creativity and resources. He supported the Chamber of Commerce, Snohomish Education Foundation, Snohomish Food Bank, Snohomish Garden Club and the Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish. Always visible at the annual Kla-Ha-Ya Days Parade riding his three wheeled "Cushman", he also presided over the event as Grand Marshall in 2015. On several occasions he held the title of "Frognosticator" at Snohomish's annual "Groundfrog Day". The Christmas display at the Chalet was a holiday treat for all who lived in the area. He was also known to tell a few stories with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. Wally married the love of his life who shared his visions, Donna Thorson, in 1952. Besides her, he leaves his children, Chris (Carol), Michael, Jay; and grand-daughters Heather and Sarah; and great grand-daughter Rowan. He also leaves nephews and their families, Paul Jr., Greg, Doug and Bill Walsh with whom he was involved as a mentor and uncle. Family always came first. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Paul Sr. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to Delta Foundation at 1711 Terrace Ave., Snohomish, WA 98290 or Seattle Children's Hospital Foundation, c/o Kiwanis Children's Cancer Project, P.O. Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145. Memorial Services will held Sunday, August 21, 2016, 3:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1306 Lake View Ave, Snohomish, WA 98290.