Obituary for Edward Gray Wendell Edward Gray Wendell, age 86, of Columbus, died peacefully Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at his home in Columbus. A retired business owner, he co-founded and eventually wholly owned Data Design, Inc., an electrical engineering firm that developed, manufactured, and maintained specialized hydraulic and pneumatic control systems for use in mining and beverage operations. An incredibly brilliant man, he was a largely self-educated electrical engineer who always wanted to understand how things worked down the most technical detail.
He mentored scores of young engineers from DeVry Technical Institute, and delighted in their progress as they gained knowledge and skill by applying their “book-learning” in his manufacturing facility on the east side of Columbus. Following high school graduation in 1951, he entered the United States Air Force. He was trained as a radar technician and served during the Korean War.
Stationed at Patrick Air Force Base and then in the Bahamas, he served as a radar and electronics technician on the Matador Missile system. After four years in the Air Force, married Alice Gravely, and they soon moved from southern West Virginia to Columbus to start a new career and a family. In Columbus, he worked for Westinghouse Corporation, but was most proud of his work at The Ohio State University in the physics and chemistry departments.
While at Ohio State, he assisted professors in their research helping the professors translate their theoretical visions into technical hardware systems that would bring their work to fruition. Ed’s interests throughout his life were many. He enjoyed operating his ham radios in his younger days, and had a life-time love of organic vegetable gardening and bluegrass music.
He could fix virtually anything, and was often found on weekends under the hood of a car, tuning it to run more efficiently. He became an expert on nutritional supplements and healthy eating habits, and would share his knowledge with almost a religious fervor with anyone who would listen. Ed was born May 12, 1932 in Landisburg, WV to the late Doppel T. and Bessie E. (Holiday) Wendell, and grew up on the family farm.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Elmer and Marvin, and a sister, Marie Bryant. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Alice F. (Gravely) Wendell, whom he married July 21, 1956 in Hico, WV; his children, Karen (Doug) Glassburn, Elaine (Chris) Schwilk, and Sandy (Chris) Harris; his grandchildren, Lisa Hower, Brittany Harris, Andrew Schwilk (Jamie), Erica (Anthony) Criado, and Nathan Schwilk. ; his great-grandchildren, Tristan, Shaylee, Owen, Hunter, Zoey, and Kaiden; a two sisters, Gloria Gerard of Beckley, WV, Brenda Parks of Columbus, and sister-in-law, Peggy Wendell, of Gahanna.
The family will receive friends Friday, November 16 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Heart and Hope Funeral Home by Schoedinger at 3030 West Broad Street, Columbus. Funeral services will follow at the same location at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Chris Schwilk will officiate. Burial will be immediately will follow at Sunset Cemetery, 6959 West Broad Street, Galloway.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Edward Gray Wendell please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation , NOV 16. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Schoedinger Hilltop Chapel 3030 West Broad Street Columbus, OH, US, 43204 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Edward’s Visitation begins.
Funeral Service , NOV 16. 2:00 PM Schoedinger Hilltop Chapel 3030 West Broad Street Columbus, OH, US, 43204 Order Flowers for the Funeral Service Guaranteed delivery before Edward’s Funeral Service begins.
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