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George Richard Wallmann ’55

February 8, 2019, in Portland, Oregon.

An early computer whiz, Richard may not have graduated from any school except elementary, where we were classmates. He failed at the University of Chicago—where he had been admitted prematurely after his second year at Portland’s Lincoln High School—and then attended Reed for a few semesters. Among his Reedie friends were Karl Metzenberg ’54 and Keith Mills ’60. He remembered working with Paul Allen in Seattle and later served for four years in the U.S. Air Force in Japan.

For some years, Richard was a computer consultant in Tustin, California, and then returned to Portland to continue that work. He is survived by three of his four children, one of whom, Ilyeana Wallmann, lives in Portland, and many grandchildren.

As his childhood friend, I remain impressed that in the seventh grade, Richard introduced me to quality science fiction and its practice of intellectual imagination. Always a maverick, Richard had a warm generosity and enjoyed his family, friends, and good food, usually followed by Armagnac, his favorite drink. In recent years, following the death of his beloved wife and troubled son, he continued to host traditional holiday dinners, made frequent visits by train to Southern California, and assisted in fireworks displays in the Bay Area. I miss him and our lively dinners at Portland restaurants. —Contributed by Michael Munk ’56.

Appeared in Reed magazine: December 2019

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