Wayne Bruce Pellenberg

Wayne Bruce Pellenberg

Virginia Beach, Virginia, March 15, 2026

Wayne Bruce Pellenberg, a visionary storyteller and three-time Emmy Award-winning photojournalist, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the age of 63. Known for his keen eye and adventurous spirit, Wayne spent his life capturing the world through a lens, eventually turning his passion for storytelling into a thriving local business.

A Life Behind the Lens

A graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Wayne's career was defined by his commitment to finding the "story behind the story." Wayne's work took him across the globe, covering international conflicts in the Middle East during the Iraq War, as well as assignments in Bosnia and Cuba.

After years in the high-demand world of broadcast news-including a long tenure at WTKR in Norfolk-Wayne traded the global grind for a more personal mission. In 2014, he founded Neptune Video, where he dedicated himself to helping local entrepreneurs and businesses share their unique journeys. He often said, "Nobody needs a video; they need what the video does for them," a testament to his focus on the human impact of his craft.

Legacy and Family

Beyond his professional accolades, Wayne was a man who loved the path less traveled. He was a pillar of the Virginia Beach business community and a mentor to many aspiring videographers. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Priscilla Monti Pellenberg, and son, Charles Herbert Pellenberg, both of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Wayne's mother, Joyce Spruck Pellenberg, also lives in Virginia Beach, and his sister Marcy Pellenberg lives in Suffern, New York. He is cherished by them as a devoted son and brother. Wayne is also survived by sisters-in-law, Sally Proto (Michael), Diane Monti-Catania (Joseph), Andrea Lavery (Robert), and several nephews and great nephews, one niece, and a great-niece.

Wayne will be remembered for his wit, his dedication to his craft, and his belief that everyone has a story worth telling. He approached the world with gentle kindness and was always ready with a quick-witted comment. He had the amazing ability to find laughter in tears and to create calm in chaos. His gift of music is shared with his talented son. Together, they explored all genres of music, leading Charlie to become a professional musician. He shared the news gathering world with his wife, Priscilla, for many years. As many of his television teammates will attest, Priscilla believes Wayne made everyone he worked with not only look and sound better but also be better people. He captured the golden moments with ease and spun them into magical tales that captivated viewers. He returned to the News business and WTKR shortly before his death. Wayne worked up to his final day off, Friday, March 13, his 63rd birthday.

Wayne will be honored with a service of remembrance on Thursday, March 19, at 11:00 am, at Hollomon Brown Funeral Home, 1264 Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452.

Family will receive guests from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the funeral home. A reception is planned for after the service. Those details will be provided at the service.