Wallace Dyer Macomber, 78, of Kelseyville, CA died on June 24, 2013 at his home after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends. He was known to his friends as Wally, Wall, Wylie, or Big W, and probably some others I forgot or never knew about…but he was best known as Dad.
Wally was born on March 19, 1935 to Dora and Bruce Macomber in Fresno, CA. He was the oldest of 3 brothers (Bruce and Tom). Wally spent most of his childhood in Lake County but graduated High School in Berkeley. He went on to attend San Francisco State University and graduated with a degree in Physical Education. Shortly after college, Wally met Jean Frances Collier. They were later married and had two children, Molly and Matt. Wally loved his children with all the love any good father does. He provided everything he could for his children to be successful in life. Although they later divorced, Jean and Wally raised their children together, and remained close throughout his life.
Like most boys growing up in that era, Wally LOVED baseball. When he was 14 he became a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He’d never been to Pittsburgh, but he became a Pirates fan because he shared a name with Pirates player, Wally Westlake. Knowing his illness was catching up with him, Wally spent this baseball season following the Pirates every day.
Although Wally loved baseball, and loved to play it, he really wasn’t that good…a tough pill for him to swallow. However, he found his true athletic talent in the water. While at San Francisco State, Wally set several school records in swimming events and water polo. Wally attended the Olympic trials for Water Polo and barely missed the cut. Several of Wally’s records still stood until SF State discontinued their swimming and Water Polo programs. Wally was inducted into the San Francisco State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
After his undergraduate studies, Wally obtained a Masters Degree in Education, and his teaching credential. He started his teaching in the Richmond School District. He settled with his family in Napa, and later started teaching in the Napa School District. Wally taught High School math and science, and was instrumental in upgrading the Driver Education Program within the school District. Wally retired from teaching in 2004.
Besides his family, Wally had two other great passions; deer hunting and old Caterpillar tractors. He was happiest in the hot, dry Lake County brush in August, accompanied by his K9 partners, and riding atop one of his “Cats” pushing dirt in the hot sun.
Wally started hunting as a boy in Lake County. Wally is considered by many in the local hunting community as a legend. Wally only knew how to hunt one way; HARD! Over the years, many younger, “go-get-em” hunters tried to keep up with him, but most couldn’t. He was happy to share his knowledge with anyone willing to put in the time. Many hunters learned from him, but few could keep up with him.
It was a happenstance in the late 1980’s that joined Wally with one man that complimented his level of knowledge, skill, and style when it came to deer hunting in the unforgiving brush country. Ed (Eddy) Krueger and Wally spent well over 20 years as hunting partners. Eddy was the only man that could “go the long haul” with Wally. They each learned from each other and shared years of hunting success together. Eddy died in 2011.
The void left by Eddy’s death was eased a bit by the addition of Gary and Kathy Troike. Gary and Kathy shared Wally’s love of deer hunting, and the style in which to do it…with dogs. Gary and Kathy hunt hard…which is the way Wally likes it. They were his hunting partners until the end, and were with him when he died.
Wally’s passion for old Cats was equal to that of hunting. He began as a part time mechanic/operator for a small time vineyard operation in the hills of Napa in the mid-1970’s. That part time summer job eventually turned into a full time business. There are few people left on this earth that know as much about the old Cats as Wally. He was fortunate enough to befriend two such men; Jim Palmer and John Scott. Wally spent many happy days being greasy, hot, and dirty, either on or under, an old Cat.
Wally had a keen sense of humor, but was also not averse to a more…juvenile level of humor. One of his favorite things was his “fart” machine. He loved to break that out with “newcomers” to deer camp. Wally was a storyteller. He could regale everyone for hours around a campfire, telling one of thousands of hunting tales.
If there was one thing Wally loved more than hunting or Cats, it was his grandchildren: Joe (16) and Jillie (14) from Molly, and Carson (10) and Ella (8) from Matt. When they were around, he would light up in a way that few would ever see. They rejuvenated him. They made him laugh and smile, and he would revel in their energy.
Wally is survived by his (ex) wife Jean; his daughter, Molly (Stanley) of Weippe, Idaho; and his son Matt (Lisa) of Napa, CA. He is also survived by his grandchildren Joe and Jillie Stanley and Carson and Ella Macomber. Wally leaves behind his youngest brother Tom (Anna) Macomber of Lake County, CA.
Wally has several surviving friends, but there are too many to mention. Those friends, who knew him well enough, know who they are, and we love you and are thankful for all you have meant to Wally.
Wally has two remaining K9’s that will miss him; Jack and Jaydee. Jack will continue his ranch life as a ranch dog in Idaho, and Jaydee will continue her hunting life with the Troike’s.
Wally was predeceased by his parents; Dora and Bruce, and by the middle brother Bruce. Wally will be joining many friends with his passing; Eddy Krueger and Bill Simons are two that stand out, but there are more. Wally will also have a large pack of hunting dogs to manage as he is reuniting with; Bucky, Red, Milly, Yukon, LC, Katie, Wob, Cowboy, Sugar, Patty, and Buddy.
There are no services planned at this time. Wally’s wish was to be cremated, and the family will have a memorial and celebration of his life at a later date.
We could go on for literally pages and pages about Dad, but there just isn’t enough room. To that end, we would be very grateful to hear from you. We welcome any stories, remembrances, reminisces, or comments you have. We would love to hear anything you would like to say to the family.
Please share with us at: www.bigwmacomber.blogspot.com
Wally was a man’s man…with the soul of an old Indian medicine man.
We wish we had the words to accurately describe Wally and his life, but there really aren’t any words….You’d just have to know the man.
