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WENDLING, DR. AUBREY September 20, 1918 to December 3, 2012 Aubrey Wendling, Professor Emeritus at San Diego State University, passed away peacefully at home, at age 94, surrounded by his wife of 71 years, Lucille, and their only child, daughter Laura Marie. Aubrey was a man of many interests, talents and achievements. He was born in San Francisco and graduated from Commerce High School in 1936. He worked as a CCC Camp doctor's assistant, then entered San Francisco State College in 1939. Aubrey was elected Student Body President in his senior year with the help of his campaign manager, Pierre Salinger, who later became President Kennedy's press secretary. It was at San Francisco State that he met the love of his life, Lucille Ingeborg Tackle, whom he married in 1941. Lt. Wendling served four years with the Merchant Marines and saw action in the South Pacific. Aubrey received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1954 while Lucille pursued her lifelong career as an elementary educator. In Seattle, they joined the Seattle Mountaineers. Aubrey became an instructor for their Basic Mountaineering course on techniques of rock, snow and ice climbing and survival skills - which he later brought to the San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club, serving twice as chapter chairman. In Seattle he began his lifelong passion for fly fishing and gourmet cooking. Dr. Wendling joined the Sociology Department of San Diego State College in 1954. His research interests focused on demography, infant mortality, high school drop outs, and drinking and driving. He was instrumental in developing the Social Science Research Center, served as an editor of the Pacific Sociological Review, and upon retirement in 1982 as Professor Emeritus, Aubrey founded SDSU's Faculty and Staff Retirement Association, serving as its first and fifth president. In 1993, SDSU's Chapter of Mortar Board honored Dr. Wendling for his dedication to the university. On his 94th birthday, the SDSU Retirement Association further recognized him by establishing a perpetual student scholarship in his name. Aubrey's life can be summed up in the George Bernard Shaw quote, "You see things and ask, 'Why?' I dream things that never were and I ask, 'Why not?'" Aubrey is predeceased by his parents, Returne and Edith Wendling and younger brother Orrin Wendling. Survivors include his wife, Lucille, daughter Laura Marie Wendling, Ph.D., son-in-law Ken Mendoza, Ph.D., and twin grandchildren, Marisa and Travis Mendoza. No services are planned. Donations in Aubrey's memory can be made to: the Dr. Aubrey Wendling Scholarship Fund, SDSU Retirement Association, 5500 Campanile Drive, AD225, San Diego, CA 92182-5000; or to San Diego Hospice.
Published in U-T San Diego on December 9, 2012
