Wally Lage

Fourteen months ago Wally Lage died in a boating accident in Maine. Wally was a husband, father, active member in the community and a leader in the newspaper industry. While he is missed by many, his legacy continues.

This fall the first Wally Lage Memorial Scholarship was awarded to a student at Southeast Missouri State University. The annual scholarship goes to an incoming freshman at Southeast who graduated from Notre Dame Regional High School.

Wally was honored earlier this month by Inland Press Association, a newspaper organization of which this newspaper is a member. The organization -- which also elected Rust Communications co-president and Southeast Missourian editorial board member Rex Rust as president -- posthumously awarded Wally the Distinguished Service Award for his impressive record in the newspaper business.

Last Friday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for a new exhibit at the Discovery Playhouse in Cape Girardeau. The "Grandma Ruth's Farm" exhibit provides an interactive experience for children to learn about farming, where food comes from and how a harvest is sold in the grocery store. Dori Lage, Wally's wife, sponsored the exhibit in memory of her mother, Ruth. We know Wally would be proud.

While Wally's time on earth was much too short, he influenced numerous lives both personally and professionally. We're thankful that those who loved and respected him continue to carry the torch of service in his honor and remember his legacy.