Much has been said and written about Wendell’s skills as a naturalist guide in the outdoors and his fierce determination to save wildlands.
I loved Wendell for all of that, but also because he was such a total goofball. His giggle was our guide to the silly side of things, reminding us to discover the nuttiness and absurdity of even the most mundane things. His playfulness was a huge gift to all who knew him.
Wendell cracked me up before I even met him. I moved to Eugene in the late 80s in the midst of the battle to protect Oregon’s ancient forests. Wendell’s name was in the Register-Guard frequently, so I phoned him to volunteer my help. We arranged a date and time to meet at the former L&L Markpetplace and I asked how I could recognize him. “Well, I’m easy to spot,” he said. “I’m short, fat and bald.” And then he giggled that giggle.
Most of us are familiar with Wendell’s goofy emails, many of them offering his creative spin on the news. This one, for instance, is classic Wendell:
HEADLINE: Movie director Tim Burton splits from leading lady Helena Bonham Carter after 13 years together
OK, you guys go to the movies a lot, right? So maybe you can explain this to me. How can you become "separated" from someone, when you weren't ever married and have always lived in separate houses?
This is why it's hard for me to keep up with all this crazy Hollywood stuff--but I try. For example, I mean, I've never been married to either of you, and we've always lived in separate houses, so if we got "separated" how would I know?”
Insecurely,
Wendell
Wendell’s more recent friends may not know that Wendell spent three years of weekends, holidays and vacations researching and writing A Walking Guide to Oregon’s Ancient Forests. All proceeds from the sale of his book supported the Oregon Natural Resources Council’s Ancient Forests Campaign. As one of the book’s early editors, I came to fully appreciate how much time and energy Wendell and Kathy put into studying topo maps, driving thousands of miles of primitive roads, exploring forests, and taking painstakingly detailed notes documenting mile markers, trail signs and odometer readings. It was a labor of love for Wendell because he believed that visitors to Oregon’s cathedral forests would become the forests’ most eloquent spokespeople. His book, and the conservationists it spawned, are an important part of Wendell’s remarkable legacy.
Anyone who’s ever hiked with Wendell knows that he certainly never broke any land speed records. It could take delightful hours to cover a mile with him, stopping to inspect every flower, every insect, every mushroom, and to pick up every piece of litter. In fact, Wendell’s walking pace inspired me many years ago to coin a term my husband and I now use frequently. We use the word “Wendelling” to describe traveling from one point to another in the most Buddhist sense, remaining open to discovery and sidetracks instead of focusing on a destination or a schedule.
Wendell was a thoughtful and loyal friend. The Wendell Wood Fan Club has legions of members, and he had a knack for making each of us feel special in his life. Wendell tended and nurtured countless friendships through hospitality, outings, shared interests, long conversations, visits, adventures, and ‘this-reminded-me-of-you’ emails. He managed to stay current on the ebbs and flows of our lives and was truly concerned about our wellbeing. I never once doubted that I was important to Wendell. I can only hope he knew how much he meant to me. He was one-of-a-kind in the universe and in my life. His passing has left my life forever diminished. I can’t imagine Wendelling without him.