Wayne Lechelt

1949 - 2022

Wayne Lechelt
December 24, 1949 - April 8, 2022
West Richland, Washington - Wayne Maynard Lechelt was born on Christmas Eve 1949, in Pasco, WA to Marvin and Alpha Lechelt. He was the third of seven siblings. He grew up in Kennewick, WA among his siblings, cousins, and friends. In 1969, Wayne married Jeanne Richmond. They were married over 52 years and welcomed four children and four granddaughters. He graduated from University of Washington in 1972 with a BSEE. In December of that year, he was drafted into the US Army and served two years. In 1975, Wayne and Jeanne moved back to the Tri-Cities area, settling in Benton City, where he was very involved in the Benton City Church of the Nazarene. In 1995, the family moved to West Richland, where he spent his later years.
Wayne was an extremely intelligent man who could solve almost any problem and fix anything. He worked for several companies in the area, before joining Battelle NW Labs/PNNL where he worked for 29 years until retiring in 2013. Wayne contributed on several patents, including some in support of Homeland Security following 9/11. A number of his work colleagues became lifelong friends with whom he genuinely enjoyed spending time.
Wayne was an excellent father and very involved in the lives of his children. From coaching teams to family camping trips and so much more, he was a loving presence in his children's lives. Wayne loved being "Grampy" to his four granddaughters; he was always their biggest supporter and fan.
In addition to his immediate family, Wayne was blessed to be part of a large extended family that included his parents, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and in-laws. He was always ready to help his friends and family, using his long list of skills to repair broken appliances, hang drywall and tape, texture and paint walls, replace worn brakes and fix leaking sinks.
Wayne enjoyed boating and picnicking, complaining about the umpire's ridiculous call, eating several of Jana's light as air waffles, watching Christmas Vacation for the umpteenth time on Thanksgiving night ("Save the neck for me, Clark"), meeting Cort at Hubby's Pizza, Tuesday lunches with Jim, shop nights at Tim's, and the annual Lechelt Family White Elephant, where he conspired to steal the best gifts!
Anyone who knew Wayne, knew that he had an incredible (and unusual) sense of humor and was usually the silliest/goofiest person in the room. Many of his tall tales, gags, and funny comments are legendary among friends and family.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Jeanne Lechelt; children; Wendy (Michael), Derek (Jana), Evan (Erika), Rachel (Jason); and grandchildren; Shanna, Lily, Annie, and Juniper. His is also survived by his beloved mother, Alpha Lechelt; and siblings; Lucy (Joe), Randy (Marleen), Cort, Anita (Van), Victoria (Nick), and Babette (Frank); as well as, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.
Wayne was proceeded in death by his father, Marvin Lechelt; and numerous aunts and uncles.
A Celebration of Life for this remarkable man will be held on Saturday, April 30th, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Gauntt Farms Hangar, 3025 Rickenbacker Drive, Pasco, WA.