In Celebration of
Herbert Wallace
August 23, 1935 -
April 19, 2017
Suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday April 19, Herb, in his 82nd year, passed away at home from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Born in Roblin MB, he was the eldest son of Robert and Florence Wallace. He spent his very early childhood in Rutland, SK, and from second grade onward in Unity, SK, where he graduated from Unity High School as class valedictorian in 1954. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy in the same year as a cadet under the ROTP at HMCS Unicorn in Saskatoon, and in 1958 he obtained a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He served four years with the RCN, including a year with the Royal Navy in Portsmouth and Plymouth, England (1959–60); one year on HMCS Chaudière (DDE); and in Halifax one year on staff of the Naval Armament Depot plus one year on staff of HMC Dockyard. Resigning from the RCN in 1963 , Herb transferred to the Naval Reserve Division to serve with HMCS SCOTIAN, and to pursue his academic interests at Dalhousie University. He obtained a PhD in Chemistry from that university in 1969. His love of the navy never waned, and he continued to serve the Naval Reserve Divisions of TECUMSEH (Calgary, 1968–75), NONSUCH (Edmonton 1975–78) as Commanding Officer, CARLETON (1978-1990 – in various capacities, including Commanding Officer, 1987–1990). In this capacity, he was proud to serve as the Honorary Aide-de Camp to two Governors General. Herb retired in 1990 as Captain (N) with the NOAC Bronze Medallion (1975) and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal (1997). Herb’s professional career included employment as a research scientist with Celanese Canada in Edmonton from 1968–71 ; a senior research metallurgist with Sheritt Gordon Mines in Fort Saskatchewan (1971–78); and a scientific administrator in the Technology Transfer Program, National Research Council (Ottawa, 1978– 93). He retired in 1993. Predeceased by his mother and father, two sisters (Bonnie and Betty), and three brothers (Robert, James and Brian), he is survived by his wife Patricia (to whom he was married for 50 years), brothers Ronald (Maureen) of Saskatoon, Norman (Camille) of Fredericton, and John of Unity. Also left to mourn are his sisters in-law Marilyn Paterson of Grand Prairie, AB, and Diane Atkinson (Douglas) of Riverview, NB; as well as nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Herb was a voracious pursuer of knowledge all his life, known and respected for his mastery of numerous topics. Together with his amazing memory for details and his ready sense of humour, he inspired family, friends and colleagues. Over the past 10 years, Herb and his great friend Emmett Hossack (Ottawa) travelled to Scotland on eight occasions to pursue their interest and love of good whisky and the distillation process. Herb was an active outdoor man who loved skiing, nature, walking and hiking, reading, and travelling the world with Pat. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 28th at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa) at 11am with a Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations will be appreciated to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute or charity of choice.