Born in Syracuse, N.Y., Robert "Sparky" Wallace '53 attended Onondaga Valley Academy High School. An All-City football, baseball and basketball player, Wallace enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served on the U.S.S. Mendocino the Pacific Theater. He also served on the U.S.S. Missouri in the Atlantic and Mediterranean as well as the U.S.S. Providence in the Meditteranean. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Bob began his college education in 1947-48 at Colgate University and competed on the frosh football team. He attended SUNY Cortland between 1949-53 earning a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. He also earned a master's degree in physical education from SUNY Cortland in 1957. Sparky played halfback and quarterback on the Cortland football squad. He was a varsity football coaching staff member under "Chugger" Davis as a senior and competed for one year as a baseball outfielder. Bob was president of Beta Phi Epsilon, vice president of the Pan-Hellenic Council and class president as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
After graduation in 1953, Bob taught physical education and coached at Painted Post High from 1953-56. Under his coaching the football team won the 1955 league title. Also his wrestling, track and volleyball teams won Steuben County championships.
In 1956, Bob joined the SUNY Cortland Physical Education Department and remained until his retirement in 1985. For over 20 years he has organizied and hosted a SUNY Cortland baseball alumni game and dinner each summer.
He and his wife Sally Yaeger Wallace '53, married in December 1953.
UPDATE: Bob passed away in December, 2014, at the age of 87.
