Sometimes the life you lead creates far-reaching and unexpected ripples. Such was the case with Wally Shidler, an MPTF resident who worked as a motion picture engineer and dedicated his entire life to creating one of the definitive collections of Southern California everyday history. “He lived in his childhood home until he moved to MPTF,” says social worker Rachel Reiff, LCSW. “He cared for his mom in that home until she passed away. He never owned a credit card. He lived life simply.” Wally never learned to drive and even during the pandemic took public transportation all around the city. Over time, he honed his impressive woodworking skills and found value in cataloguing L.A’s transit and local theater history in particular – which made him a great resource for our own MTA officials. His dedication to these subjects earned him a profile in the Los Angeles Times, and in 2013, “L.A. as Subject” honored him with its Avery Clayton Spirit Award.
MPTF was honored to help Wally continue to flourish in his later years here, and as fellow resident Carlos Rodriguez recalls, he “was a good-natured man who was mechanical and fixed things.” Adds Rachel, “He would literally take junk or things people had thrown away and make beautiful things from them or would take something that had been thrown away because it was broken, fix it, and give it to someone who needed it. He was a gentle, quiet man who was always doing things to help others, much like he left money to MPTF without us knowing. He did things not for the fanfare but because he truly wanted to help.” We’re grateful to Wally for all the lives he touched until his passing in 2024, which will now continue for many years to come. Find out how you can also leave a powerful legacy by clicking here >
