Arthur Bruce Wallace

Arthur Bruce Wallace was born on February 17, 1926 in New York to Rhea and Harry Wallace. His early years were spent in the Bronx with his two older sisters, Selma and Dorothy.

He attended Public School #80 and DeWitt Clinton High School. Art loved sports and was a good basketball player, fair at football, and a good field but no-hit baseball player. His true sport that he really excelled in was track. Art’s prowess in track saved him from many fights, as discretion, or rather his ability to run faster than his foes, won over valor.

Upon graduating High School, prior to his 17th birthday, Art enrolled in the City College of New York and spent two semesters there before enlisting in the Army in 1943. He had basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama and advanced training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri before shipping out to Europe, serving in the infantry in France and Germany. He was a prisoner of war. Art returned home in August of 1945 in time to celebrate the end of the war in a joyous mob in Times Square.

After returning to civilian life, Art worked for a short time as a reservation agent for United Airlines before enrolling at Alfred University, on the GI bill, in February of 1946. Art studied Ceramic Engineering and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in that discipline.

Things were tough in the job market at that time and Art had a series of jobs, including New York City Health Inspector, before securing an engineering position in Baltimore, Maryland. After a year or so, he secured a better position at American Lava Corporation in Chattanooga, Tennessee where among other things, he met the love of his life, Jewell.

When they were dating, things didn’t look too promising. In fact, Jewell told him “Don’t get too serious. I’m not the marrying kind.” To which Art replied, “Don’t worry you conceited ass, nobody’s going to ask you.” In actuality, they were both wrong. In fact, Art’s friend, who had introduced them, predicted it wouldn’t last six months. Art and Jewell got married in January of 1955 (and were together 62 years until her passing in 2017).

A little over a year later they were blessed with a little bundle of joy- Baby Celeste- who was born just two days before her mother’s birthday.

Art had wanderlust and was always interested in improving his lot in life. He had the family moving seven times in 19 years-from Saxonburg, Pennsylvania to Olean, New York, to Baldwin, Long Island, to Peabody, Massachusetts, to Oakland, New Jersey, to Clark’s Summit, Pennsylvania, and finally to Glendora, California, where they resided for 20 years. Art’s last job in engineering was very prosperous. He was hired as a Ceramic Engineer, promoted to Production Manager and for the final two years was General Manager of ITT Jennings in Monrovia.

In 1972, Jewell decided to go into Real Estate. She asked Art to help her study for the test. Since he had to study the material in order to help her, they both ended up taking the test and they both passed. Art decided to leave the Engineering field in 1974 and he joined Jewell in the Real Estate profession. He worked for several offices before becoming a broker himself, opening his own office aptly named Wallace Realty in Glendora. Of course, he hired an ace salesperson named Jewell. They both worked into the 1990’s and then decided to more or less retire.

Art and Jewell made their final move in 1989 to Upland. In 1995 Art finally got the “son he never had” when Celeste married Brad. Art spent most of his later years playing bridge and poker. In fact, his bridge skills earned him opportunities to play in several tournaments. He made many friends through bridge.

Arthur was a beloved father, son, brother and friend and part of more families than we can count. Arthur is survived by his loving daughter, Celeste Wallace and son-in-law, Brad Albert.

Arthur was buried on March 8, 2023 at Riverside National Cemetery with full military honors.