Richard Allan Wallace

Richard “Dick” Allan Wallace, 87, of Santa Ana, CA passed away on January 24, 2026. He was born in Long Beach, CA on January 6, 1939, attended both Anaheim High School and Laguna High School, subsequently graduating from Claremont McKenna (formerly Men’s) College in 1960. He was married to Patricia Hoiles Wallace on February 24, 1962.

Dick was a devoted and lifelong newspaper executive. His career spanned over 47 years working for Freedom Communications, Inc., beginning at the Orange County Register in 1961, followed by the Odessa American (TX), The Colorado Springs Gazette, The Anaheim Bulletin, and finally returning to the Orange County Register where he served as General Manager from 1974-1992. He helped successfully guide the newspaper through its long-term battle for Orange County circulation with the Los Angeles Times, a Pulitzer Prize for the use of full-color photos at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the first newspaper in the nation to print full color news photographs on deadline. He concluded his service with Freedom Communications holding the position of Vice President of Corporate Affairs from 1992-2008. He served on the Board of Directors from 1968-2008.

Dick not only worked hard, but he was also a devoted volunteer with much dedication as he served on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries from 1990-1996, serving as President from 1993-1994. He served on the Board of Directors for Lutheran High School of Orange County, serving as President from 1982-1986. He also served as President of the California Newspaper Publishers Association in 1985.

Dick was a devout libertarian, or as he would rather call it, a “classical liberal.” As fate would have it, Dick married Patricia Hoiles, whose grandfather, R.C. Hoiles, founded Freedom Communications (formerly Newspapers). Freedom Communications and its founder espoused the libertarian philosophy throughout its editorial pages nationwide. A true match made in Heaven. Through the editorial writings of R.C Hoiles and philosophical writings of Ayn Rand, Dick found his voice in the political arena. Dick was on the Board of Directors of the Reason Foundation from 2007-2023, promoting libertarian principles. Dick was also on the Board of Directors of the Heritage Foundation and Pacific Research Institute, promoting personal responsibility and the principles of free enterprise.

Dick had a passion for BMWs, fishing, fast boating, house boating, water skiing, snow skiing, and pyrotechnics. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. He enjoyed taking his family on water ski trips to Lake Havasu and Lake Powell. He also loved spending time with his family on the slopes of Snowmass in Colorado. He liked to smoke meats, and very much enjoyed a good glass of wine. He was a notorious tinkerer and gadget lover. Mostly, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

Richard is survived by his two sons, Greg and Brian; his two daughters-in-law, Liz Wallace and Jodi Wallace; and his four grandchildren, Dana, Amy, Driver, and Peyton.

Richard is predeceased by his wife, Patricia Hoiles Wallace, his son Jeffrey Lind Wallace, his brother Larry Lind Wallace, and his parents Lind Havelock Wallace and Lucile McFarland Wallace.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Fairhaven Memorial Park in the Waverly Chapel. Hawaiian or fishing attire encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dick’s honor to The Special Olympics of Southern California and/or The Zoological Society of San Diego.