Born in Pottstown Hospital on December 16, 1935, he was the son of the late Marjorie G. (Davies) and Henry W. Van Dyke of Pottstown.
Wallace was a graduate of Gettysburg College, PA, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. He served in the United States Army Reserves from 1957 to 1964.
Wallace began his career as a project engineer with Bethlehem Steel in Pottstown and later transferred to Maryland. He returned to Pennsylvania, working as a computer programmer for Rohm and Hass, Philadelphia, then as a computer managing consultant for Auerbach Consulting, and as systems engineer for Grand Bank in Philadelphia. After moving to Florida, he was the architect and proprietor of The Best 18 miniature golf course in Ft. Myers and a Florida real estate broker from 1989 until his retirement in 2018 at the age of 82.
Wallace was an avid golfer his entire life. He was a member of the United States Golf Association where he served on the rules committee, and he also was an executive officer of the Golf Association of Philadelphia. His enthusiasm for the sport inspired him to create The Best 18, a miniature golf course that replicated greens from the best 18 golf courses in the United States.
In addition to golf, Wallace was passionate about history, particularly the Civil War and Lewis & Clark, and classical music. He started his coin collection when he was a young newspaper boy, and it grew into a lifelong hobby.
Wallace shared a love for old ships with his grandfather (of the same name), who was a ship captain of the Steamer Pere Marquette 22 on the Great Lakes. During 2015-2016, Wallace was involved with the creation of an exhibit honoring Captain Van Dyke at the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum in Michigan.
He was a longtime member of the Elks Club in Pottstown before moving to Florida in 1984. He volunteered as a trail guide at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Ft. Myers, FL, for several years.
Throughout their marriage, Mary and Wallace enjoyed traveling, including visits to places in the United States, Canada, and Europe, along with several cruises.
In addition to his wife Mary, he is survived by a daughter, Valerie Van Dyke Phillips, wife of Douglas Phillips of Ft. Myers, FL; sons, Jonathan M. Van Dyke, husband of Carol Van Dyke of Ft. Myers, FL; Daniel W. Van Dyke, husband of Diane H. Van Dyke of Gilbertsville, PA; and Andrew G. Van Dyke, husband of Jennifer L. Van Dyke of Pottstown, PA. They have nine grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, two great-grandsons, one more great-grandchild on the way, and a beloved granddog Buddy. Wallace was predeceased by his brother Peter D. Van Dyke of New York.
Memorial Services will be held at New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2941 Lutheran Rd., Gilbertsville on Friday May 13, 2022, at 11:00 AM.
Family and friends may call at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Friday.
Interment will be at the New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church cemetery.
Arrangements by the Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, Inc., 111 North Reading Ave. Boyertown, PA 19512.
Online condolences can be made at www.lwottfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Port of Ludington Maritime Museum” in care of the Mason County Historical Society, 1687 S. Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, MI 49431.
