Richard “Richie” Keith Wallace passed away November 30, 2017 at Bethesda Lutheran Communities in Shawnee Mission, Kansas surrounded by family.

Richie leaves behind his wife, Cathy Chapman-Wallace; mother, Freda Mayer; father, Ralph Wallace and stepmom Peggy Wallace, as well as his brother David Wallace and sisters Debbie Pearson, Kim Greiner and Julie Wallace and many loving aunts, uncles, two sister in-laws, brother-in-laws and many nieces and nephews.

Richie was born in Paola, Kansas to Ralph Wallace and Freda Mayer. He was raised in the Louisburg and Paola area with his siblings David Wallace, Debbie Pearson, Kim Greiner and Julie Wallace.

At the age of 6 Richie was enrolled at Lakemary Center where he learned the basic skills related to daily living. Richie and Lakemary grew together and at the age of 18 he was the first resident in Lakemary Center’s first group home in Paola, Kansas. When Lakemary expanded to Olathe, Kansas, Richie also moved. Through hard work and support staff, Richie was able to move into semi-independent living sharing an apartment with two other young men and eventually lived in his own apartment with Lakemary’s support. Richie was employed in the food industry working at several local restaurants.

In September 2002 Richie married his longtime girlfriend, Cathy Chapman-Wallace. They shared an apartment in Olathe, Kansas where many of their activities involved Special Olympics, music, dancing, bowling, movies, travel and garage sales. They cared deeply for one another.

Richie began participating in the Kansas Special Olympics at the age of 8. After 36 years of competing, he was inducted into the Kansas Special Olympics Hall of Fame in 2008

In 2013 Richie’s health began to fail and he was moved from his Lakemary residence to Bethesda Lutheran Communities in Shawnee Mission, Kansas where he received outstanding care and love.

To think of Richie is to think of his smiling and joking nature. He enjoyed life to its fullest and will always be remembered for the love he gave to so many.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 4, 2017, 6:00 pm at Penwell-Gabel - Olathe Chapel, Olathe, KS, with visitation until 8:30pm.


In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Lakemary Main Campus, 100 Lakemary Drive, Paola, KS 66071 or to Bethesda Lutheran Communities, 600 Hoffmann Dr., Watertown, WI 53094