Wesley Earl Lingren

Wesley Earl Lingren, age 95, was born in Pasadena, CA to Lawrence E Lingren and Dorothy (Green) Lingren 08/27/1930. He passed away of natural causes on 05/25/2026 in Knoxville, TN. He attended elementary and junior high school in Altadena, CA then transferred to Los Angeles Pacific HS where he graduated in 1948. After spending one year at LA Pacific College, He accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Seattle Pacific College (SPC). He led the Falcons in scoring his senior year and later played for two years in the Seattle semi-pro basketball league.

He Graduated from SPC in 1952 with a double major: Mathematics & Chemistry. Graduate Studies were immediately started at the University of Washington (UW) where he earned an MS in physical chemistry in 1954 before being drafted into the US Army. He served 2 years in the medical corps in Germany, reaching the rank of Sergeant. Upon Discharge, he took a part-time teaching position at both Pasadena College and Los Angeles Pacific College. Following two years of teaching, he resumed his interrupted graduate studies at the UW where he obtained a PhD in Electrochemistry in 1962.

SPC ( Now Seattle Pacific Unversity) hired him as an assistant professor of Chemistry where he spent his professional life at SPC/SPU teaching chemistry, founding and directing the University Scholars Program ( Honors Program) for 25 years, coaching Tennis and filling in other roles on campus when asked; he basically tried to fulfill what he considered a calling to Christian Higher Education. His interest in athletics was further satisfied by being the president’s appointed NCAA faculty representative for 25 years and acting interim athletic director for one year.

The National Science Foundation awarded him a faculty fellowship in 1967 which he used at Yale University to study quantum mechanics. Later, he was awarded a fellowship to do research in solar energy transformation by the American Association of Engineering Education at the national Solar Energy facility in Colorado. He published two chemistry textbooks, several scientific articles and co-authored an athletic history of SPC/SPU. For 12 years he directed the Washington State Junior Science and Humanities program, a competition that brings together high school students and their teachers, from all over the state, to strive for college scholarships based on their research projects.

With a colleague, he helped bring the National Mortar Board chapter to the SPU campus. His interest in academic excellence was also exemplified by directing the campus Rhodes scholarship program and starting the campus tradition of NCAAS scholarship winners.

SPC Tennis Teams on the 1960’s, under his leadership, finished fourth and sixth in the national NCAA college-division rankings his last two years as coiach. One doubles team won the west coast region NCAA Regional College division title, something no other college from the NW has done. He was also interim coach for the SPU women’s tennis team in 1982. He enjoyed playing tennis, starting in high school, and competed in local and regional USTA tournaments until age 50, then kept playing at a recreational level into his 80’s.

With a lifelong faith, Wes was a member of 1st free methodist church in Seattle but was a regular attendee at Bellevue 1st Presbyterian in his later years.

He enjoyed reading, especially World War II nonfiction, biographies and fiction ( Turow, Grisham, Balducci, Cornwell) and usually had two or three books checked out at a time. He took up cross stitch needlework to utilize his time while watching television and produced at least one competition winning piece.

He had Merrilyn met at church in 1958, married in 1961 and honeymooned in Austria which sparked their life-long interest in international travel.

He is survived by son Eric (Stephanie) Lingren, Daughter Leslie (Curtis) Fletcher, Grandsons Nathan, Ian and Matthew, Granddaughters Caelyn, Katelyn and Grace, Great-granddaughters Fable and Sawyer. His wife of 59 years, parents and sister Marlene predeceased him.

Family will hold private grave side service at Tahoma National Cemetery (date to be determined). Memorials may be sent to The Lingren University Scholars Endowment, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA 98119