Albert "Bert" William Wall

ALBERT “BERT” WILLIAM WALL 1923-2020 Dad always said, “the only things I regret in life are the things I didn’t do.” We lost my dad, Albert “Bert” Wall on April 2, 2020. My Dad lived a life so full of adventure that a recap of his incredible journey, spanning nearly 97 years, will not be short. In this day of Covid-19, this serves, at least temporarily, as my father’s eulogy. I apologize in advance for its length, but suggest you grab a cup of hot coffee — dad’s favorite beverage — and enjoy the story of a life well lived. Bert Wall was born in San Diego in 1923 to Marie and Harry Wall. But that’s where the traditional family story ended. In fact, Bert didn’t meet his father until many years later … quite accidentally. But I’m jumping ahead. Bert spent most of his early childhood in San Francisco, where everyone called him Billy, a nickname from his grandfather who shared Bert’s same head of thick, white hair, which Bert never lost. During his early childhood, Bert’s father left their family, leaving his wife, Marie, Bert’s sister, Muriel and Bert to survive on their own during the Great Depression. Bert progressed through grade school rapidly, skipping several grades. He was smart and clever, but the family was poor. Young Bert juggled school with any job he could find, including selling newspapers on the corner. Always the hustler, he sold the 3 cent papers to hurried workers, who invariably paid with a nickel. Bert would fumble for the change and often get to keep the two extra cents. As a young boy Bert loved roller skating; he honed his skills skating up and down San Francisco’s treacherous, steep hills. Soon he made a name for himself racing on the flat tracks in and around the Bay Area. At 13, he was named California’s flat track roller skating champion, a title he held for three years running. Bert’s talent caught the eye of executives from the Roller Derby – a booming entertainment business in the 1930s — but at 16 he was still too young to join the derby as a professional. Still, Bert vowed to make roller skating his future career. Adventure called, however, and at 16, Bert lied about his age to join the Merchant Marines and sail around the world. Never a drinker or smoker, he would skip the usual sailor bars when his ship anchored. He instead invested in a white dinner jacket. Slicking back his thick hair and donning his formal coat, he would confidently stroll into United States embassies in the world’s most exotic ports and experience the best in food and entertainment. Bert returned to the states after an additional stint in the Coast Guard, and, at the age of 19 enlisted in the United States Army to do his part in World War II. With ambition and athletic prowess, Bert joined the 82nd airborne as a paratrooper. Bert heroically parachuted behind enemy lines into France on D day, survived the Battle of the Bulge, and ultimately earned three bronze star medals and three honorable discharges from all three military branches in which he served. Arriving back in San Francisco following the war, Bert pursued his dreams of becoming an elite skater during the golden era of Roller Derby. Bert met his bride to be, Barbara “Bobbie” Mateer, on the banked tracks. Bobbie was also a talented Roller Derby skater and the two were married in 1953. Actually, they were married twice; the first time in Tijuana, Mexico (we have the wedding photo on the burro, completed with matching sombreros, to prove it) and a second time, in a more typical fashion, at the request (and eventually the delight) of Barbara’s parents. Bert and Bobbie had a baby girl, Debra, in 1958. Not long after Debbie was born, Bert had a chance meeting with one of his fans. The man, also with the last name of Wall, approached the skater after one of his games. He said he was interested in meeting the young skater he followed on TV. As the men talked, the older man discovered that Bert was originally called Billy as a young child and was born in San Diego California … just like his son. Not only did the men realize their relationship, but now Bert was reunited with his father, who he thought he had lost forever. For the next decade, Bert would be involved in all aspects of the Roller Derby business, from talented skater to winning coach and eventually top management. Bert was tapped to be the stunt double for star Mikey Rooney in the 1950 Roller Derby film Fireball which also starred Marilyn Monroe. In 1960, Bert was inducted into the Roller Derby Hall of Fame. In 2010, in celebration of 75 years of Roller Derby’s history and Bert’s contribution to the sport, he was awarded the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame Living Legend Award. Following his successful career as a professional athlete and anticipating the rise of computers, Bert earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science at Northwestern University in 1969. For the next 25 years, Bert enjoyed a second successful career in technology serving as a director of data processing for multiple governmental agencies throughout California, Nevada and Oregon. Bert and Bobbie continued their active lifestyle, enjoying snow skiing, water skiing and tennis. Bert and Bobbie retired to Sun Lakes, Arizona in 1997, where the couple stayed active playing tennis and where they made a large, loving circle of friends and neighbors, who enriched their time in the Valley of the Sun. Bobbie and Bert recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. When asked the secret to a long and successful marriage, Bert said: “Be hard of hearing and have a short memory.” A man of integrity, who had great strength, and a deep pride in his family and his country, Bert will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and the best “Papa” in the world by his grandchildren. He will be missed by all whom had the honor of knowing him. Bert was preceded in death by his parents, Marie and Harry Wall, and sister Muriel. Bert is survived by his wife Barbara Wall and daughter Debra Crosser (Robert) and grandchildren Paige Allen and Austin Allen. The family would like to thank Sage Hospice for the gentle touch, comfort, and care they provided dad in those final days. So, the tale ends with my dad having lived a life without regret, ready for whatever lay ahead. As Mark Twain so eloquently said, “so throw off the bowlines, it is time to sail away from safe harbor.” A celebration of Bert Wall’s life will be held in the future, when it is safe for all who loved him to gather. Please feel free to leave a comment to the family on Legacy Funeral Home’s Tribute Wall where this obituary is posted: www.azlegacyfuneralhome.com