Lew E. Wallace, 87

Lew E. Wallace, 87, died of natural causes on Sept. 23, 2006. He was born Jan. 19, 1919, to Enoch and Blanche Wallace in Harrington, Wash., and raised in Eastern Washington.

Lew's mother, Blanche Wallace, was a rural school teacher, and taught Lew through the eighth grade. He graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane. He attended Cheney State College for two years and graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in science. He pursued additional graduate studies at Oregon State, and the University of Hawaii in entomology.

Lew married Norma Kliewer on May 2, 1944, in Tampa, Fla.

His studies were interrupted by World War II for service in the U.S. Air Force. He trained as an aircraft mechanic, then officer training, and finally as a pilot. He served with the 100th Bomb Group, stationed in England. His aircraft was shot down Sept. 11, 1944, over the Ruland in Germany, and he was a prisoner of war until the end of the war.

After his studies, he was employed by Oregon State as a research entomologist. In 1955, he joined the USDA in Bozeman, doing research on wheat stem sawflies. He finished his career doing research for the USAID in Nigeria, Africa.

He retired in 1977 and built his home in Lakeside. He continued his research and had extensive notes and a large collection of insects.

He loved outdoor activities, fishing, hunting and gardening. He could identify almost all of the wild fauna in Montana. He was also an avid reader and pinochle player. He was first and foremost a family man and "the best Grandpa ever." He lived life to the fullest his way. He was much loved and will be truly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Ralph Alingh; his two brothers, Jack and Fritz, and their wives.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Norma, of Lakeside; his children; Jim and Liz Wallace, Christi Small, and Steve and Rachael Wallace, all of Bozeman; his grandchildren, Amy and Jeff Potter of Montera, Calif., and Lisa and Jake Pintok and their children, Ashton, Zack, and Andrew of Hamilton.

Services will be held at noon Friday, Sept. 29, at the Vista Linda Restaurant in memory and celebration of Lew's life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Lakeside QRU.