Wally Hickel
Walter Joseph Hickel (August 18, 1919 – May 7, 2010) was an American businessman, real estate developer, and politician who served as the second governor of Alaska from 1966 to 1969 and 1990 to 1994, as well as U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 1969 to 1970. He worked as a construction worker and eventually became a construction company operator during Alaska's territorial days. Following World War II, Hickel became heavily involved with real estate development, building residential subdivisions, shopping centers and hotels. Hickel entered politics in the 1950s during Alaska's battle for statehood and remained politically active for the rest of his life.
Wally Hickel | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 1969 | |
| 2nd Governor of Alaska | |
| In office December 3, 1990 – December 5, 1994 | |
| Lieutenant | Jack Coghill |
| Preceded by | Steve Cowper |
| Succeeded by | Tony Knowles |
| In office December 5, 1966 – January 29, 1969 | |
| Lieutenant | Keith Harvey Miller |
| Preceded by | William A. Egan |
| Succeeded by | Keith Harvey Miller |
| 38th United States Secretary of the Interior | |
| In office January 24, 1969 – November 25, 1970 | |
| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Stewart Udall |
| Succeeded by | Rogers Morton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Walter Joseph Hickel August 18, 1919 Ellinwood, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | May 7, 2010 (aged 90) Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. |
| Resting place | Anchorage Memorial Park |
| Political party | Republican (before 1990, 1994–2010) Alaska Independence (1990–1994) |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 6 |
| Signature | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Unit | United States Army Air Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Hickel served as the second governor of Alaska, defeating incumbent and first governor William A. Egan in 1966. He served as governor until 1969, ending with his resignation upon his appointment to the position of United States Secretary of the Interior in the cabinet of President Richard Nixon. Hickel later served a full term as governor from 1990 to 1994 under the banner of the Alaskan Independence Party.