Capt. David Michael Wallace

Captain David (Dave) Michael Wallace, 48, died peacefully in his Chester, Maryland, home on December 26, 2022, surrounded by his wife, Valerie, and daughters, Savannah, Madeline, and Emma. A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, he served his country honorably in the United States Navy for over 30 years. Captain Wallace was born on July 9, 1974, in Princeton, New Jersey, to Edwin Rush Wallace and Dorothy Maryann Kiss Wallace. A committed Boy Scout, his hard work culminated in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and Lodge Chief of the George Washington Council. He attended the Hun School of Princeton, New Jersey, where he graduated as valedictorian in 1992. He then attended the United States Naval Academy, where he was a member of the Brigade Honor Staff and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1996. After graduation, he was commissioned as a United States Naval Officer and began his career in surface warfare. His first ship was the USS John McCain, where he served as the Communications Officer. His following tours were on the USS Hayler as the Main Propulsion Assistant and the USS Mustin as the Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer. Ashore, he attended the Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterey, California, from 2000 to 2002, earning a Master of Science in Information Systems and Technology. His last sea tour was as Commander of the Coastal Riverine Group TWO Detachment Bahrain/Task Group 56.11, headquartered in Manama, Bahrain. In 2013, he transitioned to the Permanent Military Professor community, achieving a Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from George Mason University in 2017. After receiving his Ph.D., he began his teaching career at the Naval Academy in the Leadership, Ethics, and Law Department, instructing midshipmen in leadership and preparing them for future commissioning. He also taught as an adjunct professor at George Mason University and the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Notably, he served as Chair of the Department of Leadership, Ethics, and Law, was promoted academically to Associate Professor, and was nominated for the Military Professor Teaching Award. Captain Wallace was deeply passionate about leadership and embodied the true characteristics of a leader. He published in several psychology journals, presenting his research at prestigious conferences. His dedication to the development of future Naval leaders was evident in his mentorship of midshipmen and his establishment of the Peer Coaching Program at USNA. Above all, he was a devoted and loving husband and father, and had unwavering faith. He married Valerie Shepherd Wallace in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1997. He and his wife were inseparable best friends and were devoted to raising their daughters to be strong, independent women. He is survived by his wife, Valerie, and his daughters, Savannah, Madeline, and Emma; his parents, Edwin and Dorothy Wallace; his siblings, Edwin (Bethann) Wallace, Ann Marie (Edward) DeWald, and Brian (Betty) Wallace; and numerous nephews. A viewing will take place at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, in Chester, Maryland, on January 12, from 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be officiated by Father Curtiss Dwyer and Deacon Frank Hesson on January 17, 2023, at 10:30 am, and will be located at the United States Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland, with burial immediately following at the Naval Academy Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Veterans Airlift Command, Fisher House of Boston, and the Semper Fi & Americas Fund, organizations that were a great source of support for Dave, and his family, while he battled his illness. For online condolences go to www.fhnfuneralhome.com.

Capt. David Michael Wallace

July 9, 1974 - December 26, 2022