Richard V. WALLE

WALLE Richard V. 6/12/1938 - 12/30/2010 On December 30, 2010, Richard Vern Walle, son of Alf H. Walle Jr. and Adeline Eldridge Walle, passed away after a brief illness at his home accompanied by his wife, Judy and Brother, Alf. Dick is best known in fly fishing circles as a premier tier of Soft Hackle Flies; traveling the country giving seminars on his art. A common site on trout streams from Michigan, to Montana, to Alaska, and beyond, Dick used his love of fishing to help women rebuild their lives via his (and his wife Judy's) Reeling and Healing program that provided a respite for victims of breast cancer as they used the challenges of the fishing stream to re-establish their confidence. A loyal member of the Rockwell Springs Trout Club, the North Branch Boys Federation of Fly Fishers, the Great Lakes Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers, and the Anglers of the Au Sable, Dick loved fishing the Au Sable River (of Michigan) and owned a cabin there. Professionally, Dick referred to himself as a "Safety Guy" because he spent his life helping companies and employees practice methods that protected workers and the environment. His wife, annoyed by this bland description, insisted he was a certified safety professional and a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers. In any event, many workplaces ceased to be death traps because of Dick's efforts and advice. A veteran of the United States Army, Dick graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, Tennessee in 1960 and earned a MA from Kent State University in 1962. Settling in Toledo, he has lived here for the last 35. Dick is survived by Judy, his wife of 28 years; his brother, Alf (Judith) of Fairbanks, Alaska; his children, Vern Walle (Robin) of Atlanta, Beth Whitworth (Dan) of Atlanta, Cathleen Imbody (Gene) of Athens, Ohio, Carolyn O'Dell (Patrick) of Clarksville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Chloe, Devin, Casey, and Macklin; nephew Ben, and niece Sarah. Mourning in-laws include Michael Cole, Terrence (Julie) Cole, Timothy Cole (Anita) and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the Hospice Center of Northwest Ohio that provided untiring support during Dick's last illness, or the Victory Center that provides services to cancer patients. Services will take place at Faith Community Church of Christ (Maumee, Ohio.) including visitation from 2:00 to 5:00 PM Sunday, January 2, 2011 and a memorial service on Monday January 3, 2011 at 2:00 PM.