Lou Wallace

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 25, 1940

Departed on October 15, 2020 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

Lou Wallace was born August 25, 1940, in Pittsburgh, PA, to Margie Wallace, a widow of fewer than 6 months. Louie was an only child who was known to play "chicken" with streetcars. He was forced to be confined behind the chain-link fences of a daycare center. He was often seen by passersby begging to be let out. Louie lived with his single mom next door to Uncle Dewey, Aunt Marie, and their children. Bobby, Rosemarie and Joanie called Louie their big brother. Dewey and Marie helped a lot with their wild, boisterous nephew while Mom was at work.

Louie lived in the inner city of Pittsburgh where he learned to fight with his fists and a basketball. By the time he was in 6th grade, he could protect himself and was a great athlete. The later owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mr. Dan Rooney, was Louie's school football and basketball coach. Mr. Rooney loved this fatherless child and took him under his wing. With Coach Rooney's help, Louie earned a scholarship to North Catholic High School, where he excelled in sports, especially basketball. Known as the "iceman," Louie could always be counted on to make a critical jump shot from the corner with time running out. Louie was also an altar boy in his neighborhood Catholic Church.

Now a young man, Lou was awarded a scholarship for basketball to Wichita State University, in KS. After a few close calls with tornadoes, he arranged to transfer the scholarship to Indiana State University, in Terre Haute, IN. Upon graduation, Lou married Linda Grundy, his beautiful college sweetheart and cheerleader for his basketball team. Lou and Linda had two children, Mike and Lynn. He loved his family and remained in that marriage for 12 years. But his soul was uneasy. Financial stress on a young family led Lou to seek another job from teaching and coaching high school.

V. Mueller, A division of American Hospital Supply Corporation, hired Lou and promoted him three times. In 1972, Lou was promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He moved his family to Chicago. He was assigned to hire regional salesmen, manage German vendors and execute detailed catalogs for surgical instruments. Lou had a unique communication style in his company. When Mark Lane came in for an interview in a RED suit, Lou called his boss, Bill Bartlett to say, "Bill, I think we've found our man for Detroit." Lou prospered with that company for several years; yet he became restless and yearned to start his own business. His thoughts were often, "if I can do this much creative, strenuous work for someone else, why can't I do that for myself."

Lou made a tough decision to move to Nashville, TN. That meant he would move away from his precious Mike and Lynn. He co-founded Specialty Surgical Instrumentation, (SSI), with Charlie Mann in August, 1976. Lou had hired Charlie at V. Mueller and Charlie's territory was Nashville. Charlie as number one salesman had won so many awards that Lou created the "Mann" award specifically for Charlie. Lou was President and Charlie was Vice President. Lou and Charlie became brothers-the sibling rivalry that followed brought incredible fulfillment and unsustainable laughter to their employees, peers, and families. SSI was the role model for regional surgical sales companies that sprang up across the country.

In addition to SSI, Lou: Co-Owned with John Herzog, Genesis Container Company that was later sold to Baxter; Co-Owned Laser Engineering, Inc., with Charlie. (He later bought that company from Charlie). He developed the American Surgical Specialties Company with his wife, Terri. His beloved gained children, Laurie Dobbs and Billy Howland, now run American Surgical. At the time of Lou's death, he was the majority owner of Wallace and Rudko Investments, developer of the C02 hollow fiber waveguide invented by Dr. Chares Harrington of Rutgers University.

(Lou was also a founding member of Nashville Golf and Athletic Club, 27 year member of Richland Country Club and a member of Brentwood Country Club. Lou sat on many Boards of Director's including Luxtec Headlight Corporation and Otterwood Homeowner's Association).

Lou married Terri Howland, the love of his life, on December 2, 1983. His two children, Mike and Lynn, came to live for a few years with the couple and her children, Laurie and Billy. The four children would form a bond of love that lasted throughout Lou's life and beyond. Lou and Terri's love and marriage endured over 38 years. The marriage would go through periods of highs and lows. As the world keeps score, Lou was on top of the world. What could be missing from Lou's full, successful life? He had a beautiful wife and family, money, power, and fame. WHO was using that need for Lou's good?

The LORD was using that need for HIS redemptive work. During the lowest point in Lou's second marriage, the LORD used his love for his wife to bring him to a saving knowledge of HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. Not able to find a church they agreed on, the couple began to view the tele evangelical messages of IN TOUCH, by the Reverend Charles Stanley. Lou answered an altar call one Sunday while he was in his 50's and his spiritual walk began. He soon placed himself under the Biblical guidance of Pastor Jim Bachmann. Under Pastor Jim's teaching, Lou's spiritual growth took place. Now at Stephens Valley Church, Pastor Jim remained a Christian mentor to Lou until his death.

Lou went to meet his heavenly father on October 15, 2020, after a long fight with infectious disease. At the time of his death, he was listening to ‘When a Man Loves a Woman'." We can only imagine how happy Lou is now. He is happier than his best moments in his unique life on earth!

Our LORD was in Lou's life from the beginning, allowing voids and successes that left a cross-shaped hole in his heart. That hole can only be filled by GOD through HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, and by the POWER of HIS SPIRIT.

Lou is survived by his wife, Teresa "Terri" Lynn Wallace; children Michael Scott Wallace, Lynn Denise Wallace (Steve), Laurie Anne Dobbs (Bill), Max William "Billy" Howland, Jr. (Julie); grandchildren William Calvin Dobbs, Presley Ann Dobbs, Wallace Malone Dobbs, Benjamin Charles Goddard, Karleen Stonearrow, Samantha Stonearrow and Wiheas Stonearrow; cousins Bob Sattler (Judy), Rosemarie Sattler and Joan Sattler (Paul) and a host of extended family and friends.

Celebration of Life service 10:00 am Thursday at Stephen's Valley Church. Visitation following service 11am-12pm at Church. Burial at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens. Reception at the Pavilion of Harpeth Hills 12:30-2:30 pm.