We've been so moved to receive hundreds of messages on Facebook about Wayne's life. We wanted to share them below so that we could all celebrate his impact and legacy together. If you'd prefer your message remain private to Facebook, let us know, and we can easily remove it from here. It means a great deal to read about the many people Wayne touched, and we're grateful to everyone who has written.
John Contini: He was my mentor, my idol, my friend. Sending love and prayers at this difficult time.
Samuel Dilorenzo: I am sorry for your loss. Dr. Loui inspired so many writers, actors, artists and dreamers over the years, including me. He made the world more magical and special. He will be missed and he will be remembered.
Ted Ibur: Your dad was a gem in the arts community and left such a positive, indelible mark on our city.
John Waldschmidt: Lisa and I first met in Wayne Loui’s acting class at SLU. Amy was there, too. Over the years, Wayne was my teacher, mentor, role model, father figure, therapist and spiritual advisor. He helped me quit smoking. But above all else, Wayne was an adored and loving father to one of our oldest and dearest friends and a beloved grandfather to her three sons. Our hearts go out to Amy and her boys and the entire Loui family. We share your grief and desperately wish we could be with you now. Rest in peace, Mr. Loui. Thank you for everything.
Carol North: Your dad’s legacy reaches far and wide. Thank you for sharing him with so many of us.
Beth Baur: Your dad was one of the most influential people in my artistic development. I am grateful for everything he did for me and for all the young people who had the privilege of being his student. He led with love. I am so sorry for this loss. My thoughts and heart are with you and your family.
Bethany Barr: My condolences at the loss of your Dad and great teacher and friend Wayne. I'm glad he lived so fully I got to know him as his student. He was always fully present and as years went on I realize now I have that still to learn, to be fully me in every situation. He was a compassionate teacher and I know now lived his life that way too. Peace and hugs!
Sharon Contini: Mr. Loui, a man who knew himself. No brag, just pure talent and pure spirit. What a great loss to the world but especially to his family.
John Lamb: Wayne helped me at a time that he could see I needed help, something I didn't see for myself until much later. I will always be thankful to him for that...and a hundred other things. Peace.
Julie Hickey: He was such a blessing. I was a mess in my college years and while faith was what helped me ultimately, I just felt unconditional acceptance from Mr. Louis no matter what. He was also a great teacher and met us where we were at.
Matt Harnish: The mime class I took with him freshman year at SLU has stuck with me more than literally anything else I experienced those four years.
Mark Asinger: Thinking of you and you family at this time...May your memories bring you peace.
Tom Wethington: I am so sad to read this, yet I am relieved to know he’s free of any more pain or suffering. He taught me so much...how to move...both on and off the stage. I dearly loved him as I love your mom, and I’m pretty sure he knew and felt that. He left this world a much richer and better place for having been in it. Rest in love and light, dear teacher and friend.
Kyle Keith: He was a great man, and true inspiration to me during my time in the SLU theatre department.
Anne Harvey Butler: What a great loss for your mom and siblings, not to mention every one who knew him. I’m so sorry for you all.
Liza Repaso-Horton: Love, love, loved your dad, who was extremely kind to me. Big hugs to all the Loui family.
Dave Stallman: I throughly enjoyed the few times I got to chat with your dad. He was the real-deal cool.
Lenny Zarcone: I’m so sorry you and your Mom and all your sisters have lost your great Dad in this circle of life we all must face here as souls in our human bodies on Earth. Thinking of you all with empathy, sympathy, and gratitude for the many years you all have shared as a family as he has lived to 89. It is such a blessing when our parents live this long and we get to share so many cycles & loving rituals of life together. Thinking of you all now and your Dad’s little grandson and wife too.
Keith Dudding: Condolences. I know your father mostly by reputation, which is formidable. Judging by the son he left behind, I'd say his life did the world a favor. Saddened to hear of his death, but cheered that he lived the way he did. Your family is deep in my thoughts.
Susan Hochlander: Rest in peace, Mr. Loui
Maggie Ryan: I loved him deeply. He was my inspiration and his goodness and great talent filled my soul. He gave so much of himself and his legacy inspires such hope for speaking the truth. He was a noble and humble visionary who led so many to understand the depth of what it is to be human. He was deeply loved and will be intensely missed. My condolences are with his family.
Janet Wilding: Our condolences. Your dad was such an extraordinary individual.
Tommy O’Connell Nolan: My deepest sympathies to you, your Mom, and your siblings. Your Dad was a Giant in my life and a Light for my heart and soul. What a blessing to have called Wayne Loui my Teacher, Director, and Friend! Love and prayers for all in The Loui Family.
Alice Katherine: I’m so sorry. I really liked your dad. He was really a great man.
Danny Glick: He had a very special “way” about him. May his memory be a blessing. XOXO
Ellen Horak Sartorius: I will always remember your parents as some of my parents’ closest friends. Every time I smell a pipe I think of your dad. Prayers to all of you and please let your mom know we are thinking of her.
Jeannette Batz Cooperman: Your father was so gentle, with that wry humor, and so smart—you all are! Please give my love and sorrow to your mom especially—I miss her!
John O’Brien: Wayne was a gem of a human being
Howard Schwartz: I am so very sorry for your loss... It looks to me that Wayne left us on his own terms and his own time...
Bridget Harvey Nations: I’m so sorry…what a great man!
Isaiah Di Lorenzo: Your dad is a giant, I love him so much. I'm incredibly grateful to have been his student.
J William McDaniel: I’m so sorry to hear it. What a force he was!
Jim Anthony: I am so sorry to hear this. He was such a sweet man. I admired him so much and feel fortunate to have known him. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Joseph V. Erker: He was a lovable man. And, I loved him.
Meghan Baker: I’m heartbroken to hear this. Your dad was an amazing man and he took me in as a student auditing his class at a time when I really didn’t know what my next step would be. His encouragement, wisdom and direction made a huge impact on me - as I know he made on the lives of countless others. May his memory be a blessing during this terribly sad time.
Jerry Vogel: He was special. Love to you and the whole clan.
Dick Wobbe: First saw him as Littlechap in STOP THE WORLD I WANT TO GET OFF at Webster College in 1964 or 65.
Andrea Roach Dempsey: I am so very sorry to learn about the passing of your Dad. He was a multi talented, kind, and loving man who inspired so many of us, fortunate enough to have shared his time and interests. My sympathy to the Loui family.
Janis White Valdes: I am so sorry for this tremendous loss
Colleen Caul: I am so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news. Wayne was an amazing human being and he will always be in my heart. Sending love and light to you and your family
Nancy Freer Sherwin: So sorry to hear this. My condolences to the family. He was one of the best, for sure.
Patti Garavaglia: What a WONDERFUL man! I will never forget doing the mime show with him when he was God and I was the littlest angel! I was so inspired by his talent and generosity!
Jim Wamser: So sorry for your loss. Your loss is shared by so many whose lives were better for having known your dad.
Jenni Ryan: What an amazing man! Brilliant director, lovely human.
Joel Bennett: Sad news for the entire Earth. I was fortunate to work with him in SCAPINO! at TPC. It was a very physical show and I banged my shin badly in a rehearsal. It was bad as far as these things go, and Wayne came over to see if he could help (I think he was always up for that). Through gritted teeth I whistled "Sure," although I had no idea how he might. He bent down and began stroking the air that touched my bloody shin. He worked it and I stood there, amazed as the pain began to vanish. When he stood up, I asked him how in the hell had he done that. He briskly explained about moving Energy and as I was leaning an arm against a Flat Backstage he said "Watch" and with a wave of his hand, my arm fell limp to my side. He was Beautiful...and had as much real Magic as any Man I have ever met.
Teresa Doggett: I have heard SO many stories about your father from former students it makes me sad that I didn’t meet him.
Michael Sullivan: I have never, and will never, forget the mime and acting classes I was privileged to take with Wayne Loui. While it was clear I had no plans to make a living as an actor, Wayne Loui made me a better lighting designer by teaching me see from the actor’s perspective. Flights of angels...
Bonnie Black Taylor: A great loss. Sending love and peace to you and your family.
Erin Kelley: What a dear, dear man.
Anne Walker: I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was such an amazing man. I have many fond memories of your Dad and the family. Thinking of you, Aaron, Ben, and Tyler, and the whole Loui family.
Alan Knoll: Words cannot express how sorry I am and much your Dad meant to us all. He was the best, one of a kind. But you know that. All our love to you and the whole family.
Tony Windler: My condolences to you and your family. I will always cherish the sound of his voice in my headphones.
Jennifer Joplin: I am so very sorry for your loss - the loss of such a good human, dear friend and talented artistic partner to so many. Our deep love to you and your family.
Andrea England Braun: I knew your parents slightly from “audiencing” with them a few times. People always surrounded Wayne and he surely knew how much he was loved. My condolences....
John and Kathy Dwyer: We are so sorry to hear this. We share your heartache, but also are grateful for having the privilege of your dad in our lives. Sending much love & many hugs to all.
William Roth: So sorry. A loss for us all.
Tom Gassner: So sorry for your loss. Your dad and Peter Sargent must be having wonderful conversations.
Kari Ely: My heart breaks for you all.