Remembering Newark's Man of Music

On what was to be his 80th birthday, family and friends gathered to memorialize the life of Clarence Conrad Walla.

Known as “Con” among many and as Mr. Walla to thousands of Newark students for two decades, the Fremont man who was locally renowned for his natural tenor voice died on July 29.

Friendly, caring, funny, artistic — those were just some of the ways that family, friends and former students remembered the man who first began teaching choral music at Newark High School in 1964. He went on to teach at Newark Memorial High School, Newark Junior High and many elementary schools until his retirement in 1986

Colleague Barbara Williams — who taught at Newark Memorial until 2004 — defined Walla simply.

“He was magic,” she said.

That sentiment was echoed throughout the service held at Newark Memorial High School.

Walla’s life had a major impact on many students, including Claudia True Brunsvold.

“I only had him for two years. I can only imagine the impact of the lives he touched for as many as six years,” she said.

“If I had one word to describe [him], it would be natural. He had an effortless, natural tenor voice. …He had a natural, easy way to handle the students in his classroom,” Brunsvold said. “I wish there was an 80th birthday. You have touched so many lifes. You will be missed.”

Walla is survived by his sister, Betty Bolt of Portland; his wife, Ann; his two sons, Craig Walla of Fremont and Mark Walla of Portland, and their respective wives, daughter-in-laws, Michele and Holly. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Ryan and Sydney of Fremont.

Watch more from the Aug. 17 memorial service, including memories shared by Craig Walla, in the video above.

Those wishing to send flowers to the family are encouraged instead to donate to one of the three following organizations:

• Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1301 Mowry Ave., Fremont
• Kaiser Hayward Hospice, 30116 Eigenbrodt Way, Union City
• LIFE Elder Care, Meals on Wheels Program, 3300 Capitol Ave., Fremont

Information provided by the Conrad Walla Memorial Service Program. See the full program in the attached PDF.