Robert Donald Wallace

Robert Donald Wallace Morrice, Michigan Formerly of Hemlock They called him Coach. To the athletes and students of Hemlock High School, Hemlock, Michigan, he was much more: mentor, teacher, inspiration and friend. To the faculty he was all of those things and will be remembered for his dedication to teaching, his loyalty to his students and his ever present sense of humor. He retired from Hemlock Public Schools in 1996 after a long teaching and coaching career. His accolades as a coach are numerous and his competitive spirit and success are well known. Three of his cherished awards were having the Hemlock High School football field named "Wallace Field" in his honor, induction into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame and induction into the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame. Robert Donald Wallace was born 4/28/1935. He passed away May 25, 2014 at the age of 79. Bob was the son of Donald E. and Beva B. (Nichols) Wallace of Cass City, Michigan where he attended Cass City Public Schools. As an outstanding athlete, he earned 13 athletic letters, excelling in football, basketball, baseball and track. His academic career continued at Central Michigan University where he earned his BS and MA degrees with emphasis on coaching, physical education and history. He competed successfully in football and basketball at CMU and also played numerous sports while in the US Army. Bob's love of reading was nourished by his father and grandfather who often read a book each night. By 4th grade he could do the same. Other pastimes included sports of any kind, golf and especially Softball, where he was an outstanding pitcher. For many years he raised and showed Haflinger horses and owned the Haflinger Registry in North America. Of utmost importance to Bob was his family. On August 22, 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Beatrice Leslie. Bob and Bea celebrated 54 wonder-filled years of marriage and the birth of two daughters: Julie Wallace of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and Leslie Wallace (Merchant) of Owosso, Michigan. Leslie and her husband, Scott Merchant, honored Bob with three grandchildren whom he loved dearly: Alexandrea (Lexi), Tristan and Chloeana (Chloe). Bob is survived by his sisters and brother: Betsy (Jim) Mayfield, Marilyn Ziemba, Sharon (Arnold) Erla, Carol Hartman, Al (Charlie) Wallace and his sister-in-law Marlene Wallace. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Jack Wallace and a brother-in-law Leonard Ziemba. To celebrate his life, a Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 7, 2014, at Hemlock High School Gymnasium, 733 N. Hemlock Rd. Hemlock. Visitation with family will begin at Noon. To honor Coach's lifelong devotion to High School Sports, Memorial contributions may be made to Hemlock Sports Boosters. Arrangements by W. L. Case and Co. Funeral Directors, 201 N. Miller Rd. www.casefuneralhome.com

Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company Mackinaw Funeral Chapel
4480 Mackinaw Road
Saginaw, MI
US 48603