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<p>Wally was many good things—son, brother, husband, father, friend, soldier, athlete, and musician, to name a few, but above all, he was a master artist of the human relationship. </p>
<p><em>Wallace Walter “Wally” Price</em> was born on July 24, 1956 in Verdun, France to Captain Wallace Price and Hortense Price. This probably explains where he got that ultimate sense of style and grace, not to mention his taste for music and the arts. Wally’s father was a combat veteran and one the few African American Army officers at the time. After military retirement, Wallace Senior settled the family in Teaneck, NJ, and worked for Pan American Airlines. Wally excelled in academics, sports and music. He was a child prodigy on the piano and attended the prestigious Juilliard music school in New York City. But, like his father, Wally marched to the sound of the guns. He chose to bypass a potential music career and decided instead to serve his country.</p>
<p>Wally entered prep school in 1973 and West Point in 1974. Following Beast Barracks, he landed in D-3. Wally was undoubtedly one of the coolest guys at West Point. He had good looks, a ready warm smile, a calm that touched those around him, and an unmistakable swagger. Wally never lost his love of the piano. While everyone else had stereos in their rooms, Wally had a keyboard to make his own music. No one had a bad word for him, except for, perhaps, the office of the Commandant of Cadets for disciplinary issues. It was challenging to be a “hip cat” and a cadet at the same time! At Camp Buckner, Wally was a member of 7th Company, whose nickname was “Bad Company” (back when bad was cool). Wally fit right in with that moniker. With the class shuffle at the start of cow year, Wally moved to A-3 (keyboard in tow) where he was known as “a man of class.” </p>
<p>After graduation, Wally attended the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course and Ranger School. In 1979, he joined 2/92 Field Artillery Battalion in Giessen, Germany and culminated his tour as an artillery battery commander. </p>
<p>During a REFORGER exercise, Wally bumped into his classmate, Mike Wickham, and they decided to have a steak at the Wildflecken O-Club. Wearing full tactical regalia (helmet, combat boots, LBE, flack vest and side arms), they walked to their table feeling a little ridiculous dressed as they were; however, they had a great meal (anything was better than C-rations during REFORGER) and imbibed a few adult beverages. </p>
<p>In the background, music played from a grand piano in the dining room. Wally told Mike that he wouldn’t mind playing something on that piano. Mike knew what kind of jazz pianist Wally was and, of course, egged him on. Convinced, Wally got up, asked the club manager’s permission to play, and then headed for the piano. As the dining room crowd caught a glimpse of the big guy in BDUs moving towards the ivory keys, you could feel the trepidation in their posture and whispers. </p>
<p>Wally played a couple of bars of one thing or another as a warmup…a pregnant pause…and then, he launched into a Sinatra tune. The crowd’s side glances and whispers suddenly turned into rapt attention. At the end of the song, the room erupted in applause. A second song followed, and then a third. Wally played for about 30 minutes straight, and no one left the room. The O-Club staff filled every nook around the dining room. Wally had the audience in the palm of his hand: he was “in the zone.” Upon finishing, Wally headed back to his table with his every step accompanied by applause. Wally graciously nodded his head, and then, thinking the moment was right, made an exit “stage right” with Mike. </p>
<p>Following Germany and the Field Artillery Officer Advance Course, Wally was assigned to the Pentagon in the Decisions Systems Management Agency. </p>
<p>After ten years in the Army, Wally decided to pursue a civilian career in IT. He fell in love with the mountains and eventually moved to Evergreen, CO (elevation 7,200 feet). He lived there with his two lovely daughters Lakisha and Rheya and embraced a lifestyle far different from that of Teaneck, NJ. </p>
<p>Wally died at his home in Evergreen, CO just after New Year’s, on January 8, 2005. At his memorial service, we were inspired by the number of people from the Evergreen community who came to share in the celebration of Wally’s life. His impact was measurable in the big and small things he did for others every day. What an example for his children…what an example for us all! Wally was a man of faith, though his actions spoke much louder than his words ever did. We know that God is love and that God’s love was shown and lived through Wally’s life, because he loved much and was loved much, as well. On the morning of his death, Wally knew the end was near, and he had telephone conversations with the people that were most important to him in life before he left us. </p>
<p>We’re assured that Wally is in heaven, watching over us all…till stylin’ and smilin’ and looking at us with that mischievous gleam in his eyes. We know he’s waiting to reach out for a hug and welcome us with that soft, casual, cool and somewhat raspy voice that will say, “It is so GOOD to see you!”</p>
<p><em>—MG(R) Sanford Holman ’78, classmate and family</em></p>
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