Growing up in the big town of Alum Creek I have known Wally all my life. As kids and teenagers we often played together. If there was a game, baseball, sandlot football or basketball Wally was usually there. As kids if we went anywhere it was on our bicycles, even back then we loved to ride. We often rode our bikes on the trails in the woods behind our homes. This was before Corridor G. Before we knew of Falls Creek, Bear Fork, Mud River and many of our other favorite rides. 

As we grew up our lives took us down different paths and for many years I didn't see Wally that often.

  Whenever I would see him, he would always invite me to "Come ride with the Wheelers"  About four years ago due to the influence of another special person in my life I did just that. Since then I have ridden many miles with a great group of people including Wally. He was always there encouraging and watching out for everyone on the ride. I can also thank, or blame Wally, for talking me into trading my Triple crank for a Compact. He use to tell me it will make me a better rider. He almost never failed to ask me how I liked my Compact when I was struggling up Falls Creek Mountain or some other steep climb. I would respond with a few choice words and he would just smile and ride off leaving me with my pain and the view of him getting smaller in the distance. 

After every hot summer ride you could also count on Wally to greet you with a cold "Natural Light" his favorite beer. He always had some to share.  
Wally was true friend and true gentleman. He will be greatly missed. 

Here's a "Natural Light" to Wally.

CD