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http://obits.lancasteronline.com/index.php?p=2683155
Edgar L. Wallace, 90, of Lititz died Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Moravian Manor in Lititz. He was born in Philadelphia, PA, to the late Harry Clayton and Velma Morrison Wallace. He was the husband of Eleanor Gilbert Wallace with whom he shared 63 years of marriage.
During his career, he served as the Choral Music Director at both Collingswood H.S. and Westfield HS. in New Jersey and retired in 1980. He served as Director of Choral Music and organist at St. Asaph's Episcopal Church, Bala Cynwyd from 1945-1964. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Masters Degree in Music Education in 1950. He attended St. Peters Choir School and graduated from Haverford High School in 1938. He continued his advanced Music education at Temple University, St. Olaf College, Juilliard School in NYC and Chautauqua Institute in NY.
Edgar was a Staff Sergeant of the United States Air Force during World War II. He was a member of American Guild of Organists and St. James Episcopal Church. At church, he served as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered in the Anchorage Breakfast Program. He volunteered at Lancaster General Hospital and attended the Music Educators National Conference (MENC). Edgar shared his love of music by directing the Men's Glee Club of Westfield, NJ for over 20 years as well as conducting the Men's Alumni Choral Group at F&M College from 1995-2006. Edgar enjoyed golf and owned an Antique Business.
In addition to his wife, Eleanor, he is survived by his daughter, Deborah Turley (Robert) of Williamsville, NY; and a son, Brent Wallace (Hallie) Folsom, CA; 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service at St. James Episcopal Church, 119 North Duke Street, Lancaster on SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be at St. James Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ed's memory may be made to St. James Episcopal Church towards The Seminary Fund, 119 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602.
Online condolences may be posted on our website:
www.thegroffs.com
The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc.
528 West Orange Street
Lancaster, PA 17603
717-394-5300
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John Clarke
I am sure Mr. Wallace would agree with the statement that Matt Sullivan and I were not one of his favorite students and it was not simply because we couldn't carry a tune.
With that being said, Mr. Wallace was one of the best teachers I had while attending WHS.
Rest in peace Mr. Wallace. Thanks for all that you did in enriching the lives of all of the students that you taught over the years.
Rachel Wolf
Marcy Decker and I broke sacred ground when she cast me as a ballplayer in Damn Yankees, because I was a true female tenor. But in 10th grade, Mr. Wallace and Miss Hill had stubbornly insisted I was an alto in denial. To Mr. Wallace's credit, after watching me struggle with upper alto notes for throughout sophomore year, he finally acknowledged that one size doesn't fit all musically, and all voices do not necessarily fit the rigid gender ranges of SATB. It was a huge step forward when he accepted my uniqueness and moved me to the tenor section for 11th and 12th grade, making me the first female tenor in the WHS choir. He even supported my efforts to be the first female tenor when I auditioned for All Eastern. Alas, they were not ready to be progressive back then, but times do change with persistence. Throughout our lives, each of us has the chance to be the pebble in someone's shoe or the skipping rock that causes a ripple to change the tide. I wasn't a troublemaker in the traditional sense, but I did "march to my own drummer" (figuratively and literally, thanks to Mr. Starner). What I will always value about Mr. Wallace is that he helped me feel seen and heard. His musical impact on my life also helped me become a better singer, always pushing for improvement. Rest in Music, Mr. Wallace.