Robert Wallace Honored

_____A new earthquake research center on the US Geological Survey's Menlo Park campus was named in honor of Bob Wallace, in a dedication ceremony on Friday, 8 September 2000. The Robert E. Wallace Earthquake Center will unite activities in the Menlo Park campus of the USGS focused on earthquake hazards. The beautiful new foyer in Building 3A will carry the center name in bronze letters, as well as San Andreas photos by Michael Collier, watercolors and aerial photos by Bob, and memorabilia from Wallace's distinguished career. Bob's career encompassed field mapping and mineral assessments in the western U.S., mineral and permafrost studies in Alaska, and path-breaking research on the San Andreas fault and Basin and Range normal faulting. With his gift of making everyone's contribution feel valued, Bob guided and encouraged the work of many young and appreciative scientists. He also played a major role in the writing, promotion, and enactment of legislation creating the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. He served as Chief Scientist of the USGS Office of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Engineering for 14 years, and chaired the Engineering Review Board of the S.F. Bay Conservation & Development Commission for 7 years. Wallace received the Society Medal of the Seismological Society of America, the Alfred E. Alquist Award and Medal of the California Earthquake Safety Foundation, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Department of Interior. When he retired from the US Geological Survey and moved to Reno, Bob became a Research Professor in the Nevada Seismological Laboratory. Although he spends a lot of time at home (rwallace@dellnet.com), Bob comes in and interacts with Seismological Laboratory faculty on a regular basis, and many in the Seismological Laboratory benefit greatly from his experience and wisdom.