Dr. Leonard C. Ferrington Jr.

Dr. Leonard Charles Ferrington Jr., 73, Esteemed University of Minnesota Professor of Entomology, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, while bicycling on the Root River Trail near Lanesboro, Minn. Dr. Ferrington was born in 1948 in Murrysville, to parents, Leonard C. Ferrington Sr., and Agnes Martina (Schwaderer) Ferrington. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Dr. Deborah (Stinner) Ferrington; daughter, Dr. Ashley LaBore (Beau); son, Leonard Ferrington III (Lindsay); and granddaughter, Leah Ferrington. Siblings include Connie Paulich (Henry), Carole Lape (Zane) and James Ferrington (Debra). Len joined the Marine Corps in 1966 after graduating from Franklin Regional High School. He served in Vietnam as a corporal in the 3rd Marine Division and was honorably discharged from service in 1972. During his time in Vietnam, he earned several medals, including a Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He went on to achieve a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and doctorate degree specializing in entomology from the University of Pittsburgh. He held tenured academic positions at both the University of Kansas (1980 to 2000) and the University of Minnesota (2000 to 2021). During his 41-year academic career as a professor and scientist, Len was a prolific researcher who collaborated with colleagues in 52 countries on six continents. Len's research program consisted of five areas of emphasis: taxonomy and systematics, biodiversity studies, responses of aquatic insects to various types of pollution, their roles in stream ecology, and sustainability. Throughout his career, Len authored more than 100 scientific publications and identified more than 100 previously undescribed insects. He was a longstanding member of the Society of Freshwater Science (SFS) and served as president in 1989 and 1990. In 2021, he was elected as an SFS Fellow for his sustained excellence in contributions to freshwater science research. In addition to his research, he was an active and well-liked professor and mentor to hundreds of undergraduate and graduate-level students at the University of Kansas and the University of Minnesota. He was most recently recognized with the prestigious Fulbright Fellow award and was planning to perform research in Finland for six months. All who had the honor to know Len recognized how he pursued excellence in life with passion and vigor. He was a loving husband and father, advisor and mentor, world explorer, music aficionado, including a recent passion for playing the mandolin, voracious reader, avid exercise enthusiast and cyclist, boating captain and nationally ranked, award-winning competitive ballroom dancer. Len embodied the persona of a modern Renaissance Man. Len was loved greatly by his family and will be dearly missed. His legacy will continue through his family, the contributions he made as a scientist and educator, and the countless lives he touched with his genuine, engaging, humorous personality and kind heart. The visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, and the funeral ceremony honoring his life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23. Both events will be located at HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM-PURCELL FUNERAL HOME, 515 W. Highway 96 at Mackubin, Shoreview, MN 55126. Directly following the funeral ceremony honoring his life, a burial with full military honors will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23. This will be located at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55450. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Deborah A. and Leonard C. Ferrington Research Fund (www.giveto.pitt.edu/ferrington). This endowment provides support for research being conducted by undergraduate or graduate students at the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology, which is affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh. www.holcombhenryboom.com.line