Michael A. Wallace, a leader in the local wine industry entered into rest at the age of 74, due to complications from pneumonia, at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago.
He was born on July 30, 1942 to Jerrell Claude and Deelda Irene (McNally) Wallace in Seattle, Washington where he was raised and educated. His love of music led him to play in several bands during his high school years. He graduated from Rainer High School in 1960. Mike then entered the U.S. Air Force and served from November 2, 1960 until receiving an honorable discharge on August 31, 1964. He then graduated from Western Washington State University in Bellingham with Bachelor of Art Degree’s in History and English. He worked as a medical researcher in the Department of Viticulture and Enology while completing graduate work at U.C. Davis. There he met Walter Clore, “the Father of Washington Wine” at an enology meeting in California in 1971. He moved to Prosser the next year, planted his vineyard and worked for Clore at the WSU Research Station for four years. Mike and his parents established Hinzerling Winery, the third oldest winery in the state and oldest family owned and operated winery in the Yakima Valley. He taught winemaking and agriculture at Yakima Valley College, Grandview campus for the past seven years. One of Mike’s reasons for teaching wine related classes at the YVC program was to encourage his students to stay and seek their careers in our valley filled with great opportunities. He was affectionately known as “Professor Wallace” and the “Absentminded Professor.” Mike married Frankie Brooks on August 6, 1988 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Mike helped found the Yakima Valley Spring Barrel Tasting Weekend and the Yakima Valley American Viticultural Area which was approved by the federal government in 1983. He was a member of the Prosser Veterans of Foreign Wars, AM Vets and affiliated with the Sunnyside Republicans Club. He loved family gatherings with food and wine, music and keeping touch with most of his high school classmates and several friends from the Air Force, including Dick Vedas of Mesa, Arizona. He was also a proud Mustang grandfather.
Mike is survived by his wife of twenty-eight years, Frankie of Prosser; his daughter, Kathryn Wallace and his son, Sean Wallace both of Ocean Shores; his step-sons, Jason Wiley and his wife, Rachelle Malmgrem and Jeremy Wiley all of Prosser; and six grandchildren, Violet, Jessica, Christopher, Anthony, Kaelan, and Johnny Wiley; his brother, Steve Wallace and his wife, Margie of Peoria, AZ; and his sister, Pam Hallenius and her husband, Kenneth of Kent. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Donna.
Graveside services with Full Military Honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October15th at the Prosser Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Prosser Veterans of Foreign Wars. A tribute to his life-long career in winemaking and teaching will be held at the Yakima Valley College, Grandview campus at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Yakima Valley College Wine Technical Program. You may leave a message for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com.
“Bon Appetit”