Contributed by Valley Community for Recycling Solutions
Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS) and guests celebrated Wallace Riehle’s 80th birthday on December 9th in the community recycling center’s classroom. Wallace, affectionately known as “Wednesday Wally” has volunteered at VCRS for 11 years with the Kiwanis Club of Palmer.
He was recognized and received a certificate of appreciation for the 2,200+ hours of volunteer service he contributed to VCRS. Wallace has done a lot of volunteering since retiring from a 32-year career with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Farmers Home Administration Agency.
The agency transferred Wally to Alaska in 1965 to help restore homes and solve city problems after the Big Earthquake. He lived in Palmer, Wrangell, Juneau, Soldotna, and spent three construction seasons in Valdez. In 1980, the agency transferred him back to the Lower 48. He returned to live in Alaska when he retired in 1993, finally settling in Palmer in 2000 to live on his wife Janette’s family homestead. They still live there in a new home that they built in 2008 along Maud Road.
With his many hours of volunteer service at the center, many people recognize him and know him by name. And he’s gotten to know them, too. He truly enjoys volunteering at the center. Thanks, Wally, and congratulations on your achievements!
