Charles Harris Wallace III

Charles Harris Wallace III died at home on May 18, 2025 after a long illness. He was born in Dallas, Texas on April 20, 1942 and grew up in Thousand Palms, California working on his family's Date Ranch, and graduating as a National Merit Scholar from Palm Springs High School in 1960. He received his Master’s Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and taught Anthropology for over 40 years at San Diego Mesa College and Grossmont College. For several years he was Headmaster at Abraxas School in Pacific Beach.

Chuck lived to teach, and was an inspiring teacher to learners of all ages. His special area of study was American Indian art, religion and the Hopi Indians and for many years he led tours to the Southwest, visiting the Hopi Mesa area. He was a gifted carver, painter and collector of books. His profound studies over the years of religious iconography, American Indian tribes and fine arts, allowed him to develop insights into a wide range of unique cultural areas that delighted his students, some of whom took classes repeatedly from him over the years.

Chuck was a wonderful person, always ready to help a student or a friend.. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mona Wallace of Thousand Palms and Dallas and his sister, Jane Carney Schulze. He is survived by his son, Charles, his wife of 64 years, Rena, his dog, Cecille and his nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by his many friends and colleagues.

Any and all donations to the San Diego Humane Society in memory of Chuck would be greatly appreciated. Please click on: sdhumane.org/Charles for making a donation to this worthy cause.