Join us in person or online for this service of worship in which we remember the completed life of Stephen Henry Wentland.

Stephen Henry Wentland May 1, 1940 – November 12, 2021   Welcome to this service of worship in which we remember the completed life of Stephen Henry Wentland. The flowers are given today to the glory of God by Wendy Wentland and family in loving memory of Stephen Wentland. In the tender compassion of our God, Stephen (Steve) Wentland died in Houston on November 12, 2021. He was 81 years of age. Stephen (Steve) Wentland, PhD, was born on May 1, 1940, in New Britain, CT to Henry and Helen Kalwat Wentland. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Wendy Lorch Wentland; son, Christopher Stephen Wentland and his wife, Celia Lane Wentland; daughter, Meredith Anne Wentland Berry, PhD and her husband, Thaddeus Berry; brother Mark Philip Wentland, PhD and his wife Clara Wentland; 6 grandchildren. a niece. nephew, and several cousins, grandnieces, and grandnephews. He has been a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Houston, since 1994. Steve was a kind, quiet man who possessed a wry sense of humor. A staunch moderate, he was a keen observer of the political scene. Also a great dad, Steve was the faithful chauffer who for many years ferried his children to and from Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School, Houston, for services, classes, and countless basketball games. He was often to be found in the parent-sponsored refreshment booth swapping “dad stories”. This faithful Webelo scout’s father and son joined their creative streaks, crafting their vehicle for the ubiquitous pinewood derby. A lover of music, Steve took obligatory piano and trumpet lessons, playing the latter in his high school marching band. He also played drums in a high school garage band called “The Big Three”. In his adult years, he sang in several church choirs and, for a time, in the Houston Masterworks Chorus. A Bible class teacher, Steve studied Hebrew and Greek in his attempt to better understand Scripture and present lessons. He pursued technical writing and published two chemistry textbooks. Later, he added creative writing to his lexicon, holding membership in several local writing groups and crafting his take on James Bond for children, utilizing his love of problem solving in the antics of “Jimmy Blake”. Fishing off the Texas City dike was a source of relaxation and regeneration. He requested his ashes be scattered in the waters where the dolphins play. In 1962, Steve received a BS in Chemistry from Rennsalaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, and in 1968, his PhD in Chemistry from Yale. Two additional years of postdoctoral study were at Indiana University, Bloomington. His first position was at Smith Kline Pharmaceutical Co. Upper Merion, PA, followed by a research post on the faculty of the University of Denver. While in Denver, Steve also began his interest in teaching chemistry at Metropolitan State University. In 1977, he accepted a faculty position at Houston Baptist University, where he served as Chemistry Dept. Chair for many years and was Faculty Advisor for the student branch of The American Chemical Society and The Vietnamese Student Club. He was awarded a Distinguished Professorship at his retirement in 2006.