Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau
Former legislator, commissioner, and lobbyist “Wally” (Walter) Kubley has died at the age of 89. Governor Sean Parnell ordered state flags lowered Tuesday in Kubley’s memory.
Kubley served in the Alaska State House of Representatives during the Second and Third Legislatures. He was a senior advisor and legislative liaison to Governor Wally Hickel, and was commerce commissioner under Governor Keith Miller.
He also was a long-time lobbyist in the state capitol working on Southeast issues. In later years, his son Don Kubley lobbied with him. He says the Ketchikan shipyard is one of the highlights.
When Kubley served in the legislature, not long after statehood, he helped write the 1963 legislation that established the state division of Marine Transportation and the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Wally Kubley served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War Two. When he returned to Ketchikan, he built the now famous Sourdough Bar as well as Ketchikan’s first bowling alley. Other businesses include The Sportsman Bar and Restaurant in Wards Cove, and Model Laundry and Dry Cleaners.
He was elected to the Ketchikan City Council, and was a long-time member of the Ketchikan Volunteer Fire Department.
He’s survived by two sons and a daughter, and six grandchildren. Any memorials should go to the Ketchikan or Juneau Little League Associations.
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