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Bernard Wagner Obituary
BOSSIER CITY, LA - Bernard R. Wagner, Ph.D., 66, who served 18 years as President of Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries Inc. headquartered in Bossier City, died Tuesday, July 4, 2006, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Dr. Wagner retired as President Emeritus on June 30. He also led programs for the developmentally disabled in Illinois, Indiana and Georgia.
He served as president of the American Association on Mental Retardation and was named one of 34 Significant Contributors of the 20th Century in the field of mental retardation/ developmental disabilities along with the late celebrity/author/fund-raiser Dale Evans Rogers. Dr. Wagner was the author of many articles on developmental disabilities and received numerous awards in his field.
Dr. Wagner received his undergraduate degree from the University of Denver where he was a Phi Beta Kappa and his masters and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois. His 40-year career in the field of mental retardation began in the movement to deinstitutionalize persons with developmental disabilities and evolved to his being a leader in establishing community-based supports for them.
Visitation will be held Thursday, July 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Boone Funeral Home, 2156 Airline Drive, in Bossier City. Burial will be at St. Mary's Church and Cemetery in Gilberts, IL, on Saturday, July 8.
Survivors are his wife of 42 years, Joyce; mother, Ann Wagner of Des Plaines, IL; and daughters, Christine Poling and husband Nathan of Atlanta, GA; Amy Covian and husband Juan of Charlotte, NC; son Gary Wagner of Atlanta, GA; four grandchildren, Andrew and Amanda Covian and Carson and Madeleine Poling; sister, Judy Weston and husband Scot of Mount Prospect, IL; brother, Peter Wagner and wife Kathy of Lake in the Hills, IL; and sister-in-law Janet Billings and husband Richard of Cherry Hill, NJ. Dr. Wagner was predeceased by his father, Bernard Wagner. Pallbearers will be his cousins and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Evergreen Presbyterian Ministries, P.O. Box 72360, Bossier City, La. 71172. Boone Funeral Home
Bossier Chapel 742-5361
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bernard Wagner
3 Entries
Duke Schell
July 7, 2006
I can only speak for myself, but I know that many, many people in the field of disabilities will truly miss the compassionate leadership that Bernie gave to so many of us. He influenced an entire generation of people with disabilities and their support workers.
Jim Pierson
July 6, 2006
With sympathy to the family of Dr. Wagner at the loss of a man who made a difference in the lives of people with mental retardation.
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Boone Funeral Home and Crematory - Bossier City2156 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111
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