Mike Wallace

1951 - 2021

Mike Wallace
October 10, 2021
Boise, Idaho - Michael Wayne Wallace "Mike" passed away from breast cancer at home in Kuna, ID on October 10, 2021 at the age of 70.
Mike was beloved by his family and friends for his grit, warmth, humor, and passion for adventure. Mike was born at Fort Lewis, WA in 1951. As a young man he loved working with his hands, fixing cars, playing football, watersports, fishing and hunting. Mike graduated in 1970 from Kelso High in Kelso, WA. Mike was the first in his family to pursue higher education. He was awarded a football scholarship to attend Wenatchee Valley College and lead his team to the 1971 Championship. He continued to achieve at University of Washington where he graduated with a Bachelor's in Forestry and a Master's in Fire Science.
Mike started his career in wildland fire as the first Fire Planner for the State of Nebraska. In 1979, he returned to Washington to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Colville Agency in Nespelem, WA. Mike spent nine years with the Colville Agency supporting fire planning and response in Indian Country. By 1988 Mike moved to Boise, ID to serve as the Chief of Fire Operations for the BIA. Mike managed wildland fire incidents across the US, instructed fire training courses, lead many Interagency Working Groups, and participated as a member of the Department of Interior Wildland Fire Budget Team. In 2004, Mike transferred to the National Park Service (NPS) at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, ID. In 2008, Mike retired from NPS as the National Director of Fire and Aviation with a Superior Service Award. Mike was respected by his peers as a subject matter expert, great leader, mentor, and friend.
Mike continued to adventure outdoors throughout his life visiting National Parks in almost every state, golfing, and sharing fishing and hunting tales with friends over a martini. His other life adventure was the beautiful family he created. Mike is survived by his loving and dedicated wife Sheila Wallace, children Randi (Robert) Pedersen, Tanja (Chase) Carter, Robert (Arlene) Oetterer, grandchildren Rowan Michael and Riley Rena Pedersen, mother Betty Jean (Bill) Matthews, sister Patti (Mike) McCall, niece Alex (Bill) Hatt, step-sister Virginia Matthews, former spouse Lori Boyle, and beloved dog Gigi. He was preceded in death by his father Bill Wallace, brother Jim Wallace, and niece Adrianne Wallace.
A memorial to honor Mike's life and legacy will be held at the Wildland Firefighters Monument in Boise, ID on November 11, 2021 (family only), followed by a Celebration of Life at his home afterwards. For more information contact Randi at 208-890-7841. Donations can be made in memory of Mike to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation at https://wffoundation.org or American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org.