Wally Hickel 1919 – 2010

Biography

Wally Hickel was born on August 18, 1919, in Ellinwood, Kansas, beginning a life that would take him far from the Great Plains to the vast wilderness of Alaska. His career spanned decades of public service and leadership, during which he held prominent positions including Governor of Alaska and United States Secretary of the Interior. Through these roles, he shaped policy and development decisions that affected millions, leaving his mark on both state and national governance during a transformative era in American history.

Hickel’s journey from Kansas to Alaska reflected the pioneering spirit that defined much of twentieth-century America. His tenure in high office brought him into contact with the major issues of his time, and his decisions influenced the course of Alaskan development and federal environmental and resource management. Whether through his work as governor or as secretary, Hickel remained a significant figure in American public life.

On May 7, 2010, Wally Hickel passed away in Anchorage, Alaska, the state that had become central to his life’s work. He was laid to rest at Anchorage Memorial Park, where he remains honored in the community he served. His legacy endures as a testament to a lifetime of public leadership and dedication to the state he called home.