It wouldn’t be a stretch to say Larry Wallace was consumed by orthopedics. The longtime College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member and surgeon dedicated nearly four decades to shaping the field and those in it. 

Wallace, who died at age 88 on April 1, 2026, leaves behind a teaching legacy that his friends Thomas Turner, Marvin Olmstead, and Donald Hulse say influenced many careers.

“Just as great or greater passion was his zest for teaching,” the trio wrote in a memorial for Wallace. “Many of his students and residents went on to obtain world-renowned recognition.  Larry always took great pride in learning of their accomplishments, accolades and successes.”

After obtaining his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Michigan State University in 1962, Wallace completed an internship in 1963 and a master’s degree in pathology in 1964.  He held a position at the University of Florida, Department of Veterinary Sciences until 1966 and was briefly employed in practice at the well-known Hollywood Animal Hospital, Hollywood, Florida.

Wallace accepted a faculty position at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1966, where he stayed until 1972. During that time, he completed a surgical residency and earned his American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) certification.

His next career move brought him to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, where he was progressively promoted to professor of orthopedic surgery, a position he held until his retirement in 2009. 

An accomplished and diligent surgeon with precise and meticulous technique, Wallace developed a reputation for being a tough, stern teacher to his students and especially his residents. However, as his friends note in their memorial, this behavior reflected a personal pursuit of excellence that Wallace used to set the same expectations for his students and residents

During his time at CVM, his focus shifted exclusively to orthopedics, driving research and advancing instruction in the field. Over his career, Wallace authored or co-authored 208 publications consisting of book chapters, abstracts, and journal articles.  As a life-long learner, he continued to attend veterinary and human orthopedic and research meetings, staying abreast of new techniques, clinical results and new innovations.

Parallel to his work at CVM, Wallace spent three decades developing courses as a member of the faculty of the AO VET North America and the Association for the Study of Internal Fixation, and spoke internationally about their principles. 

During his career, Wallace received numerous awards and honors, which he held in genuine appreciation, especially his presidency of the ACVS 1976-1977. Other recognitions include an appointment to the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education, 1990–1996; recipient of the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award in 1990; and recipient of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award in 2007. 

Wallace is survived by his wife, Nancy Roget Wallace; three adult children, Steven Alan, Cheryl Lynn, and Kathryn Marie; and two grandsons, Alan and Seth.