Wallace T. Baden

When Does Life Begin? This question is raised in settings where ethics may be debated. Life began for Wallace as the son of Rozwell and Cornelia Baden on September 20, 1929. He was God’s precious gift to these parents and their anticipation of great joy. Where Does Life End? This question is theological, almost allegorical. Life was ended gently and he was called home at the beginning of a gray December day, the 6th of December 2011. God knew that Wallace has fought a valiant fight, that he was weary, that he needed to rest in God’s wonderful and loving arms, and so He gently called him home. He said, “Ye who are weary, come home.” What Is Life? This question is the sum and summation of the warp, woof, or weft of the tapestry Wallace wove for himself, the long dash between the Alpha and Omega. Wallace’s Alpha began early as a part of a large loving family, Christians who attended church, a family who loved and served God. He attended Sunday school, and sang on the junior and young Adult choirs, and later served on the Deacon Board at Macedonia Baptist Church. Wallace’s Christian Walk was served as a model and servant leader. He had a deep respect and love for people who he guided and natured. He faithfully served in his later years. He immersed himself in the life of Heritage, and enjoyed singing with the Chancel Choir, the Men’s chorus and the Tru Tones, a group of male singers. Wallace was the recipient of a Baltimore City Schools education. He attended Schools #100 and #119, and later CarverVocational High School. At Carver, he developed an interest in Industrial Arts and became inspired to attend Hampton Institute. He went on to pursue a career that would sustain him throughout life, a trade education. In his last year at Hampton, he secured a job as a teacher at Armstrong High School in Richmond, Virginia. This was an incentive for him to put his experience to good use and so he came home to Baltimore to teach. He taught General Shop, Machine Shop and industrial at Calverton Heights Junior High, Frederick Douglass Senior High, Walbrook Senior High and Cherry Hill Middle School. He retired in 1989. Wallace’s adventure as a teacher was interrupted by a stay in the U.S. Army, where he served in the Military Police. This experience was shortened by a long-term illness which placed him in Fitzsimmons Military Hospital in Denver, Colorado. He was honorably discharged in 1962. Life for Wallace always held an allure of other ventures in which he might participate. He became a skillful artist as a photographer, sharing his fascination and skill with colleagues and students. Wallace had what is now dubbed “an inquiring mind”. This trait along with his engineering training and the skills of whittling and welding led him into the “Wonderful World of Wallace”. Truly, other men’s trash was his treasure. He saw beauty in driftwood and scrap metal. His creations of wood and metal objects of art are fascinating and beautiful in their simplicity and detail. His home is a living testimony of this gift. Wallace was a giving and a caring person. He served as a mentor and role model for the young men and women of the Lindsay family and the many students that were blessed to sit under his tutelage. His great talent as a gifted singer inspired and warmed the hearts of all who heard his rich baritone voice, and will live on as a legacy of his life. For over 60 years (they met in the 4th grade, and married in 1954) Wallace was the soul mate and love of Delores Matilda Fisher Baden. Their lives were like a well-oiled machine, “they just meshed.” Sharing the career of educators and being raised in the same church, gave them well-rounded foundation for marriage. They enjoyed one another, and although they never had any biological children, much of their lives were consumed with loving, nurturing and supporting the many children that they encountered through their work, family and friends. Delores will dearly miss her loving husband of 57 years, as will his uncle, William Jordan, his loving and devoted cousins, Frances Williams, Wardell Linsay, Mary Gethers, Ruth Marsh and Barbara Baden Bentley. Also left to cherish his memory are his godson, Ronald W. Lindsay, Jr.; his adopted grandson, Timothy Williams, Jr.; a devoted friend, Alfreda Johnson, all of the Young Lindsays (who called him, BooBoo), and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Wallace T. Baden

September 20, 1929 - December 6, 2011