Dr. Richard (“Zeke”) LeRoy Wells, age 91, passed away peacefully with his two daughters, Sarah and Karen by his side, on Aug. 18, 2024.
Richard was the youngest son of four children, to William Alexander Wells and Elizabeth Meta Bieri Wells. The family lived on a farm just outside River Falls, Wisconsin during Zeke’s early years, where they had livestock and a beautiful garden, as his father was a skilled horseman and horticulturalist.
The family moved into the town of River Falls, just before the onset of the WWII, where his mother, Elizabeth “Betty”, went to work as a seamstress in the production of military clothing and materials. Elizabeth was known to be a kind and gentle soul, with an abounding strength, and work ethic – teaching her young family manners that they would embrace their entire life.
Growing up during the Great Depression and then WWII, young “Zeke” immersed himself with education, music and sports. Times were hard, yet the special programs that the University of Wisconsin – River Falls (UWRF) offered to children in town during this epoch were essential and unique. These opportunities would be a cornerstone to the Wells clan’s keen interest in learning, creativity, and ambition throughout their lives. Richard’s oldest brother, William Eugene Wells, went on to be mayor of River Falls, brother Frederick Myron Wells was a successful veterinarian throughout his life, and Margaret Ann Michealson Dibble worked at Seifert’s, high-end clothing store in Eau Claire for many years and an avid participant in the community.
Zeke’s high school years were filled with studying and his love of sports – playing football, baseball, and in particular basketball – where he earned multiple letters in the R Club, whose members won awards in competitive sports. Richard was the Class President, participated in Student Council, as well as the Canteen Council at River Falls High School. When he wasn’t competing on the field or basketball court, Zeke played tuba in the marching band, as he was one of the only kids tall and strong enough to carry the instrument.
After graduating from River Falls High School in 1951, with an enviable scholastic record, Richard continued his education at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls amongst many of his lifelong childhood buddies.
Zeke was a star basketball player in both high school and college – at 6’4” in the 1950’s, he was the “tall man” placing him in the center position, and a standout member of the Falcons basketball team. The UWRF men's basketball team had a successful period between 1951 and 1955, winning two Wisconsin State University Conference championships.
It was during this exciting time where Richard would meet Mary Jane Sykes, during their sophomore year, at a Saturday night Polka dance off-campus in Ellsworth, which was a favorite social occasion of Richard’s and his older brother Fred. The two brothers were known for their adept Polka and Scottish dance steps, and literally swept Mary off her feet.
After both Richard and Mary Jane graduated from UWRF, their wedding soon followed in the hamlet of Cameron, Wisconsin Mary’s hometown. Both believed in the importance of education and went on to receive degrees to emblaze them onto careers in teaching. The young couple forged a plan to achieve their goals and feel grounded, before starting a family. This took them to the University of Indiana in Bloomington, where Richard earned his PhD in Chemistry in 1962.
The newly Dr. Richard L. Wells PhD, was appointed an assistant professor position and research laboratory at Duke University. Zeke and Mary arrived in North Carolina in the early 1960s from rural Wisconsin – entering a segregated world beyond their comprehension. The learning curve and expectation was high. Richard’s first group of graduate students at Duke marched in the streets of university towns in North Carolina during the Civil Rights Movement, it was a brave decision.
Richard had 40-year career as a distinguished faculty member of the Department of Chemistry at Duke University – as a professor, research scientist, mentor, and Associate Dean of Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. His legacy in the academic and scientific community is marked by his dedication to advancing chemical knowledge and fostering the next generation of chemists and research scientists. He had a laboratory that was funded by the United States Naval Academy where he conducted research for special projects with his beloved graduate students ranging from the early 1960s to 2002. Richard published over 109 scientific publications with 2,640 citations during this period – in which he is highly regarded for his work in organometallic chemistry, particularly in the synthesis and structural characterization of compounds with potential applications in materials science.
Known for his collaborative research efforts with both colleagues and students at Duke and beyond – Richard was an influential mentor, guiding many students through their graduate studies and research careers beyond the days on campus in Durham.
The Wells family enjoyed the Duke University and Durham community often socializing with fellow professor’s families and the hard-working students during holidays and special occasions. His wife Mary Jane was known for her great cooking and hostess skills, where she always welcomed the “starving” students and happily set another place for them at the dinner table.
Richard always believed in education and the power of knowledge that facilitates confidence and evolution for the next generation. Zeke encouraged his daughters, stepchildren and grand-children to follow their own path, interests and beliefs – as long as they did it to best of their ability and make it great. For these gifts we are eternally grateful.
Richard enjoyed working out in the yard and cultivating colorful and diverse flower and plant gardens. As an ode to his late father, he was known for his decorative and natural landscaping in both North Carolina and at Wee Bit O’ Heaven (WBOH) in River Falls.
Physical fitness and sports were important to Richard which brought him much joy and contributed to his longevity and good health for decades. During his years in North Carolina, he loved to swim and play tennis at the Duke University Faculty Club. Carrying on his love of basketball he was a long-time season ticket holder for Duke University Men’s Basketball at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Richard later became a competitive badminton player where he qualified many times at the U.S. National Senior Badminton Games. Richard also served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA in Hudson.
Later in life, Richard would find love again with his high school sweetheart Marlene Bjerstedt Hendrickson O’Connell. The couple married in 1993, surrounded by many dear River Falls friends and family. Zeke and Marlene enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and internationally visiting friends and finding new adventures. Marlene’s full and extended family welcomed Zeke into their lives where they enjoyed “Grampy’s” love and knowledge that he bestowed upon them. Richard loved spending time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren and watching them grow up into the fine people they are today.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, William Alexander Wells and Elizabeth Meta Bieri Wells, his siblings, William Eugene Wells, Frederick Myron Wells and his daughter Beth, Margaret Ann Wells Michealson Dibble and her daughter Jane Michealson Tweet and her son Billy Michealson, his first wife Mary Jane and his second wife, Marlene.
The family would like to take this opportunity to express their deepest sympathy and love to the Michealson family for the recent loss of Jane Michealson Tweet and her husband David Tweet, who both passed away this summer of cancer.
Richard is survived by his daughters, Sarah Wells Kocsis (Atilla), Karen Wells (Michael), Sister-in-law Peggy Wells, Step-children Bill Hendrickson (Michelle), Mary Johnson (Mark), Kelly Gutierrez (Jon), Polly Nessett (Ron), Patrick O’Connell (Angela).
Grandfather to Vivian Kocsis, Alexander Kocsis, Jesse Johnson (Maria), Matt Johnson (Annie), Ben Hendrickson (Brooke), Caddie Haese (Fred), Cody Hendrickson (Casey), Torie Kobelnyk, Anne Gutierrez, Emily Hendrickson Goranson (Justin), Michael Gutierrez, Daniel O’Connell, Grace Gutierrez, Jack O’Connell, Kellen O’Connell.
Uncle to David Wells (Sherri), Tim Wells (Wanda), Deborah Bouchelle, Jane Tweet (David), Billy Michealson, Jeff Michealson, Todd Michealson (Linda), Beth Wells, Kris Wells, Susan Wells Janczakowski (John).
Services to celebrate Dr. Richard (“Zeke”) LeRoy Wells’ life will be held at First Congregational Church, 110 North Third Street, in River Falls, Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. followed by the memorial service at 12 p.m. noon. A luncheon reception will be held at First Congregational Church following the memorial service.
Private interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery where he will be laid to rest next to Marlene.
Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
