Leigh Buchanan Bangs

Leigh B. Bangs 89, passed away on Tuesday November 3, 2025, following a decline over several years with Lewy Body Dementia. 

Leigh was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts in 1936 to Edward E. Bangs and Laura M. Bangs (Morton). Leigh was an only child and his family lived in several cities in Massachusetts, where he graduated from Reading High School. Leigh attended Colby College and received his Bachelors degree (chemistry) in 1958. During his studies, he met Sonia Wuellner, and they married in 1959. They lived in the Boston area while he continued his studies at MIT and received a PhD in 1965. In 1964, they moved with their first two sons to Midland, Michigan, where Leigh started work as a research chemist for Dow Chemical. His work there included high temperature metallurgy and metal coating of plastics, eventually obtaining 7 patents. During their time in Michigan, the family built a cabin on a nearby lake and enjoyed many weekends there together. Leigh and Sonia passed on a love of science to their children, all of whom pursued careers in science and engineering. In 1978, the family moved to Carmel, Indiana where he worked for Dow Diagnostics. Along this journey with Dow, Leigh also started to work with uniform latex particles, eventually becoming a global expert in the field and moving from the lab bench to building a business around this technology.

In 1988, Leigh and Sonia started a new business, Bangs Laboratories, focusing on specialty chemicals for the medical diagnostics industry. Together, they built a successful business, growing in size to 20 employees, and traveled the world together to promote the company and provide technical seminars. The company was known worldwide as a reliable and knowledgeable supplier of latex particles for medical and technical products and research. Leigh authored a book on latex particles and became known as “The Particle Doctor.” Leigh and Sonia also became active supporters of United Way, encouraging other business owners to develop UW campaigns. In 2003, they sold the company to a competitor who continues to operate and expand the company as Bangs Laboratories, based in Fishers.

Subsequently they shifted their priorities to their favorite activities including volunteering in the community. Leigh worked to advise and support Colby College, which recognized him as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2018. He also worked locally with the United Way, the Crooked Creek Food Pantry, and the Democratic Party. Leigh also had a keen interest in trees and volunteered with the City of Carmel as an urban forester. Sonia and Leigh continued their travels in retirement, visiting places from Greenland and Iceland to the Amazon basin to the Middle East to New Zealand and Australia. Leigh enjoyed sailing and was an avid downhill skier into his late seventies.

After Sonia passed away in 2010, Leigh struggled to find a new path. In his grief, he reached out to Alice Shooter, who had earlier lost her spouse and Leigh’s former colleague, David Shooter, to cancer. They found they enjoyed one another’s company, sharing the same values and a love of travel. Falling in love again, he would say he felt that he was struck twice by lightning. Eventually, Leigh sold his home and moved in with Alice. Alice and Leigh continued to travel the world together and spend time with their two sets of grandchildren. When Leigh’s struggles with LBD became apparent, Alice remained by his side with steadfast love and support throughout his journey.

Leigh is survived by his partner of 15 years, Alice, and three sons: Mark, Adam (Judy), and Alex (Rebecca), and six grandchildren: Lauren, Sam, Madison, Olivia, Nolan, and Eleanor. 

A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46260. 

Visitation with the family will take place at the church before the service from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that friends make contributions to one of Leigh’s favorite charities: the Crooked Creek Food Pantry and the United Way.

Flanner Buchanan - Zionsville has charge of arrangements.