Wallace L. Mealiea Jr.

Wallace Laird Mealiea, Jr.

Wallace Laird Mealiea, Jr, Ph.D., of Gainesville, FL passed away peacefully on June 3, 2022 at age 82, with his wife of 58 years, Linda, at his side.

A natural storyteller, humorist, and counselor, words cannot do justice to the impact Wally had on his family, friends, students, colleagues, or even strangers whose paths crossed briefly with his. He loved talking with all people, and they instinctively opened up to him.

A sense of caring for others was the thread throughout Wally’s life. He grew up in Secaucus, NJ, and graduated from Weehawken High School, where he was on the football and wrestling teams and Senior Class president. He never looked for a fight, but as a big kid who couldn’t stand bullies, he had more than a few run-ins with bigger guys to protect his brother or friends. His children and granddaughter grew up hearing endless amusing tales of his NJ/NY adventures with his childhood friends (with whom he remained close his entire life).

Mistaken as Santa Claus by children more than once later in his life, he so valued imagination in children’s lives that he always played along, assuring them he was “Santa’s brother” and would happily pass on their messages.

Both a lifelong student and teacher, Wally’s passion to help people led him to a career as a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Central College in Pella, IA, and both Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He worked at a mental hospital, counseled families at community mental health centers, treated patients in a facial pain clinic, and taught and counseled students at several universities.

His academic career began at Earlham College, Richmond, IN, where he was an Associate Professor and Director of Student Counseling. Other positions followed as Assistant Professor and Chair of the School Psychology Division at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Clinical Psychology program in the Department of Psychology at Indiana State University-Terre Haute. He was Associate Professor and Director of Student Counseling and Psychological Services at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

In 1975 he joined the faculty of the newly established University of Florida College of Dentistry, serving on the faculty for 17 years and rising to the rank of tenured Professor. In 1992, when health problems forced him to retire, he was awarded Professor Emeritus status.

His philosophy was to teach through stories. He was a favorite among students for his ability to connect through stories that both entertained and educated. During his career and as a member of the American Psychological Association, he was a frequent speaker around the country, often receiving standing ovations.

Wally was a man of the mind, collecting and reading books on psychology, history, social change, philosophy, physics, religion, economics, humor, and science fiction. His eclectic, diverse knowledge provided him with endless humorous or apt anecdotes that enlivened conversations.

He also had an artist’s soul. After retiring, he found creative outlets in writing stories and essays, and shared through his poetry his love for life and the magic he saw in the world. His offbeat sense of humor found life in numerous cartoons he created.

He treasured being “Pop” to his granddaughter Lizzie. Even distance couldn’t hamper his love for storytelling, teaching and sharing laughs. Happily crawling around on the floor, he frequently acted out original stories with her for hours over Skype.

He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father and grandfather who always had time to support and enjoy his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace L. Mealiea, Sr., and Rose Mealiea. He is survived by his wife, Linda Mealiea; daughter, Laura Mealiea; son, Wallace L. Mealiea, III, and daughter-in-law Susan Mealiea and their daughter, Elizabeth. He is also survived by his brother, Laird Mealiea, and his family.

When he was young, Wally decided that “living a life that was fearful was the greatest wrong that one could do to one’s self.” He didn’t fear death. He fully appreciated his life, family and friends, and was at peace.

“I have always thought that one of the goals of life is to create memories that make you smile, so when you are old and you play in your mind, those smiles will come back and remind you of the warmth and caring that made one's life worthwhile,” he once wrote.

All of us who knew and loved Wally will be smiling.