In Memoriam: Lynn R. Wallis

1934-2024

by Donna Wallis

Mr. Lynn R. Wallis went home to be with the Lord on 30 November 2024. Born in 1934 in Portland, Oregon, Lynn spent his early years with his father the Lt. Col. Lynn R. Wallis and mother Monttie Wallis on a turkey ranch. Dropping out of high school at 17, he spent an arduous stint in the lumber mills of Oregon, then decided this was not the life for him, so with the help of his first wife, Joan, he returned to school, getting his GED and working his way through college, earning his bachelor of science in theoretical physics from the University of Oregon and master of science in physics from Oregon State University, and proceeding to work on his doctorate. In addition, he attended the University of New York Continuing Education.

Lynn's career at General Electric spanned 39 years. He held various positions in research and development, marketing, engineering, nuclear safety, health physics, radiological engineering, product development, plant operations, strategic planning, human resources, union relations, legal affairs, and finance, as well as public affairs and media relations. He started at Hanford, Washington, before coming to the General Electric Vallecitos Research Center in Pleasanton, California, where he settled and raised his family. He later joined General Electric Nuclear Energy Center in San Jose, where he was director of public affairs and media relations. He was a consultant in health physics on the use of the atom in medicine and industry as well as nuclear safety for General Electric Corp. operations worldwide.

He was the author of over 100 invited papers with 60 published, including five in Vital Speeches of the Day, and the "Nuclear Power Quick Reference Guide" with over one million copies distributed worldwide. Lynn gave various nuclear energy presentations around the world, held over 50 press conferences, appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows, created numerous videos including "Century 21: Discovering the New America," and delighted many audiences with his "Radiation Show & Tell" program.

Lynn was a registered nuclear engineer in the state of California, became a fellow in the American Nuclear Society in 1996, and was inducted into the GE Nuclear Energy Engineering (GENE) Hall of Honor for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of nuclear science and engineering. He was a member of nucleonic advisory boards at several colleges and presented over 50 invited seminars on nuclear energy at universities and government institutions around the globe. He was also appointed as a nongovernment organization delegate to the United Nations on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

He was a director of the California Taxpayers' Association, chairman of the board of the Cal Rad Forum, advisor to the California Department of Health on Radwaste, member of the California Government (LLRW) Fiscal Review Committee, founding member of the International Nuclear Academy in Vienna, long-term member of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, former director of the communication advisory committee of the US Nuclear Energy Institute, and executive director and a founding member of US Citizens for Total Energy. He was a member of the board of the American Nuclear Society, a charter member of the Health Physics Society, and past president of the Northern California Chapter of the Health Physics Society and Northern California Section of the American Nuclear Society. He was chairman of the Nuclear Section of the World Farm Foundation, Silicon Valley World Forum, and chairman of the California Manufacturers Association Atomic Energy Committee.

Lynn was a member and past president of Tracy Noon Rotary, California Taxpayer Association, Toastmasters International, Sierra Club, Commonwealth Club of California, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, Livermore Opera, and San Francisco Opera.

After retirement from General Electric, he became a registered tax preparer with the California Tax Education Council and assisted his wife in her income tax business in Tracy. He enjoyed gardening at his Tracy ranchette, tile setting, and woodworking. His big passion was restoring old cars and especially his 1965 red Thunderbird convertible (the Chick Magnet). After his wife retired, they traveled in their motor home all over America and Canada and spent time hiking in many of the national and state parks. In later years, they went on numerous land tours and over 20 cruises to over 45 countries.

Lynn is survived by his wife Donna Wallis; daughters Kim Wallis (George Gambetta) of Cloverdale, California, and Katy Wallis of Tumwater, Washington; stepchildren Kevin Shepard of Lodi, California, Karen Huntoon (Shane) of Lindale, Texas, and Janette Crouson, of Valley Springs, California. He is also survived by his half brothers Baron Pierce of Red Bluff, California, and Sean Pierce of Oroville, California; half sister Cherlynn Phulps (Michael) of Oroville, California, and Glenda Jo Smith of South Carolina; and step grandchildren Riley Huntoon of Lebanon, Oregon, and Thomas Crouson of Valley Springs, California.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lt. Col. Lynn Wallis, and mother, Monttie Wallis, sister Monttie Wallis, half sisters Betty Jane Armstrong and Georgie Ann Douglas, and his first wife, Joan Smith Wallis.