Wally Hickel

Walter Joseph Hickel, born August 18 1919, was an American businessman and public servant who held several high‑profile positions in the United States government and the state of Alaska. After a career that began with construction work and real estate development, he became involved in Alaskan politics during the territory’s transition to statehood. Hickel served as the second governor of Alaska from 1966 until his resignation in 1969, when he was appointed by President Richard Nixon as United States Secretary of the Interior. His tenure in Washington lasted until November 25 1970, when he was dismissed following a letter critical of the administration’s Vietnam War policy. Hickel later returned to Alaska politics and served a second term as governor from 1990 to 1994 before his death on May 7 2010.

Early life and career

Hickel was born in Ellinwood, Kansas, to Emma Pauline (Zecha) and Robert Anton Hickel. He grew up on his parents’ tenant farm near Claflin during the Great Depression, an experience that shaped his later views on land use and resource management. In October 1940 he left Kansas for Alaska aboard the S.S. Yukon with 95 other passengers. Upon arrival he entered the local real estate industry, eventually establishing a construction company in 1947 that would become successful during the early years of Alaska’s territorial development.

During the late 1940s and into the 1950s, Hickel became active in the movement for Alaskan statehood. He worked alongside Democrats who advocated for admission to the Union, and he was involved in political organization as the finance chairman of the Republican Party in Alaska. In 1952, with support from Anchorage businessmen, he sought the territorial governorship but was not appointed; Benjamin Heintzleman received the position instead. The following year, Hickel helped organize a delegation that traveled to the Republican Party’s western conference in San Francisco and was later elected head of the Anchorage Republican Club.

In December 1953, Hickel and eighteen other prominent Anchorage Republicans sent a letter to Governor Heintzleman requesting the resignation of Robert DeArmond and urging the appointment of someone from Anchorage. They also telegrammed Secretary of the Interior Douglas McKay to strengthen party organization in the territory. These actions reflected Hickel’s early engagement with state‑level political strategy and his interest in expanding local influence within federal structures.

Cabinet tenure

Hickel’s first term as governor began after he defeated incumbent Bill Egan in the 1966 Alaskan general election, becoming the state’s second governor and its first Republican to hold the office. His administration coincided with significant developments on the North Slope, including the discovery of oilfields at Prudhoe Bay in 1968. While a moderate Republican who expressed environmental concerns, Hickel approved the sale of oil leases covering 37,000 acres of the North Slope during his early months in office, a decision that drew opposition from some Alaskan Native groups. That same year he authorized construction of a 400‑mile road from Livengood to Prudhoe Bay—later known as the Hickel Highway—which facilitated access to the newly discovered oil fields.

In November 1968, following the death of Senator Bob Bartlett, Hickel appointed Ted Stevens to fill the vacant seat in the United States Senate. Throughout his governorship, Hickel sought improved relations with Alaskan Natives and worked toward resolving land‑claim issues. Native leaders such as Morris Thompson and Don and Jules Wright played significant roles in his 1966 campaign and subsequent administration.

After completing his term as governor, President Richard Nixon offered Hickel the position of United States Secretary of the Interior. Initially hesitant, Hickel eventually accepted the appointment and was confirmed by the Senate on January 23 1969. As secretary, he emphasized environmental stewardship, supporting legislation that imposed liabilities on offshore oil companies and demanded safeguards for Alaska’s burgeoning oil industry. His approach reflected a centrist stance within the Nixon administration, which sometimes brought him into conflict with the president.

In 1970, following the shooting of college students at Kent State University by Ohio National Guard troops, Hickel wrote a letter to President Nixon expressing concern about the administration’s Vietnam War policy and urging greater consideration for the views of young Americans. The letter attracted worldwide media attention and led to his dismissal on November 25 1970. Prior to losing office, Hickel had indicated in an interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes that he would not resign under pressure.

Legacy

Hickel’s career spanned business, state governance, and federal administration, leaving a multifaceted legacy. In Alaska, his tenure as governor is remembered for initiating infrastructure projects such as the Hickel Highway and for navigating the early stages of oil development on the North Slope while attempting to balance economic growth with environmental concerns. His outreach to Native communities during this period contributed to ongoing dialogues about land claims and self‑determination.

At the federal level, his service as Secretary of the Interior was marked by a commitment to environmental regulation within the context of expanding offshore drilling. The policies he supported sought to impose responsibilities on oil companies operating in sensitive marine environments, reflecting an early recognition of the need for regulatory oversight in resource extraction. Although his time in Washington was relatively brief, his willingness to voice dissent—most notably regarding Vietnam War policy—demonstrated a readiness to challenge executive decisions when they conflicted with his principles.

After leaving federal office, Hickel returned to Alaska and served a second term as governor from 1990 to 1994 under the Alaskan Independence Party. His continued involvement in state politics underscored a lifelong dedication to public service within his home state. Walter Joseph Hickel passed away on May 7 2010, leaving behind a record of leadership that bridged private enterprise and public responsibility across multiple levels of government.