Wayne Wallace Bidstrup

1931 - 2025

Wayne Wallace Bidstrup, age 94, died peacefully on November 3, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with his loving wife of more than 70 years, Barbara Jean Bidstrup, at his side. Wayne was a man of great intellect, a devoted husband and father, and a patient and kind soul who loved connecting with people and sharing ideas, while treating everyone with respect.

Wayne was born on April 9, 1931 in Greenville, Michigan, where he was valedictorian of the class of 1949 at Greenville High School. He then studied chemical and electrical engineering, receiving bachelors' degrees from Michigan Technological University and a master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was well on his way to a doctoral degree at MIT when he received a job offer that was too good to refuse from Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio.

After his career then took him briefly to California and to Kansas, including some time in the U.S. Army designing prosthetic devices, Wayne spent most of his professional life in the Rochester, New York area, where his positions included Plant Manager of a Mobil Chemical Co. facility. He also served as Vice President of Polymer International in Tampa, Florida.

Following a successful career in private industry, Wayne decided to pursue his love of teaching. He returned to MIT, and in 1988 - at age 57! - he completed his Ph.D degree, receiving special notice at graduation. He then joined the faculty at MIT, where he taught until his retirement in 2001. Wayne was much appreciated by his colleagues and students for his thoughtfulness and his abilities to listen and to convey his practical knowledge and experience in the academic setting.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Wayne was extraordinarily devoted to his family. Wayne and Barbara, who met in 1954 at a MIT-sponsored dinner in Buffalo, New York, and were married in 1955 in Warren, Pennsylvania, made sure that their children had strong values and opportunities for the best educational experiences. Wayne also was lots of fun. The family especially enjoyed summer trips to the Thousand Islands, New England, Nova Scotia and the New York and Montreal World Fairs, whitewater rafting adventures, and weekend drives through the upstate New York countryside in his British sports cars. In his later years, Wayne joyfully shared in the adult lives of his children and their growing families. Barbara and Wayne, together with family, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last April.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Wallace Christian Bidstrup and Dora Sass Bidstrup Ostrander, and by his stepfather Layton Ostrander. He is survived by his wife Barbara, his children Rick (and wife Kristin), Sue (and husband Mark) and Steve (and wife Beth), six grandchildren - David, Brian, Sarah, Anna, Erik and Devin - and one great grandchild - Calvin.

The family will be having a private celebration of Wayne's life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Wayne Bidstrup's name may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.