The Dallenbach family sadly bid farewell to Wally Dallenbach Sr., waving their final checkered flag on the morning of April 29th, 2024.

Less than a year ago, we lost Peppy.  Since that day, Wally Sr. has mourned, awaiting the special moment when he would once again join his beloved Annette “Peppy” Dallenbach, whom he married in 1960.

Wally Sr. will be dearly missed by his entire family, and the news of his passing has saddened the hearts of many others he has touched personally and professionally through his acts of heroism, kindness, and pioneering spirit. Wally was an innovator, engineer, fierce racer, and the apex of safety as Chief Steward of the Indy Series CART organization.

Very rarely do true legends have the opportunity to see the impact they have on those who knew them, and, as importantly, those who only knew of them. Wally Sr. was one of the lucky ones: a true gentleman who gave hope, courage, and, more substantially, brought safety to those he mentored in heart, mind, body, and spirit.

Wally Sr. was born in NJ, ran dragsters and other forms of hot rods in the 50s and 60s before breaking into Champ Cars in the Mid 60's.   He split time between NJ and school in Denver, where he attended classes with Caroline Jacobson, who eventually became a realtor in Aspen. After honeymooning with Peppy in Aspen in 1960, Wally and Peppy fell in love with the valley. Following a successful Indy Car Season in 1973, complemented by winning the California 500, he bought a ranch in Basalt, Colorado, in 1974.  It was the same ranch that his classmate Caroline had been keeping an eye on all that time.  The Wood'n Handle ranch ultimately became known as the Dallenbach Ranch, where he and his family spent the better parts of their lives. As his children Wally Jr, Colleen, and Paul carved out their own paths, they would each relocate but always consider the Dallenbach Ranch their home.

Wally, along with friend Sherm Cooper, also created the charity motorcycle organization called the Colorado 500 in 1976. The "ride" as it became widely known, has since welcomed Auto and Motorcycling giants of their Industries. It was on that ride that he and his children created their own many special memories,  also sharing many more along the way with thousands of other participants over the past 40 years. The event has raised millions of dollars for scholarships as well as donations shared with the mountain communities visited during the annual 5 day trek. Through the 500 and the ceaseless efforts of Wally, Janet Lohman, and Peppy, as well as the 500 volunteers and riders, the Colorado 500 name still resonates throughout the country. Locally, the Dallenbach’s brought pride and a sense of community to their small town of Basalt, where after qualifying for the 1976 Indy 500, Wally obtained and drove home a fully equipped EMT vehicle and began Basalt's first EMT team.  He also helped to establish roots for Alpine Bank, where Wally was a Board Member and friend to Owner, Bob Young.

Wally was a master mechanic, racing champion, and held Legendary status. He has been inducted into a variety of auto and motorcycling Halls of Fames for his racing, ingenuity, and pioneering safety implementations. Those Halls of Fame include the Motorsports HOF, Indianapolis Motor Speedway HOF, Colorado Motorsports HOF, AMA HOF, Pikes Peak HOF, and the Canadian Motorsports HOF.

Wally was 87 at the time of his passing and leading up to his final hours, was surrounded by members of the Dallenbach and Pepe families, as well as special friends. In true Wally grit, he held on to the very end so that he could meet the newest member of his family, his great-granddaughter Annette “Annie” Dallenbach, daughter of Jake and Courtney. Wally Sr. is predeceased by Annette “Peppy” Dallenbach, his Father Jacob Dallenbach, Mother Bertha Dallenbach, his sisters Ruth Crawford, and Martha Dallenbach. His only living sibling is Robert Dallenbach. He is survived by Wally Jr, Paul & Dana Dallenbach, Ricky & Colleen Howerton, Grand Children, Jake (Courtney), Wyatt, Kate Dallenbach, Jared & Dillon Howerton and Great Grand Daughter Annette “Anne” Dallenbach.

Throughout his life, Wally was endeared to and by so many. His name spanned the continents, while his humility won the hearts of all who knew him. During the past few months, Wally was able to create an endearing bond with his last and dearest friend, Khristopher Garver, who had been his constant companion and buddy since Peppy passed in 2023.

Arrangements to follow for a fall Memorial. In lieu of flowers, if you’d like to make donations, please send your generous donations to Wally’s passion project, the Colorado 500 Charity Organization, in his name. Colorado 500 Charity Fund, 310 Market St., Basalt CO, 81621.

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