Where is Gene WENGERT- wooddoc

[Resonator]

Didn't get to meet him, I can see from reading the obituary he lived a full life. His life's work in wood drying and his knowledge will live on in the books and articles written. Rest in peace Gene.

[newoodguy78]

May he rest in peace. 

[SwampDonkey]

Rest in peace and contentment Doc. Wengert. Thanks for your contribution to the industry and for gracing the forestry forum. I never met you in person, but had respect for you. Condolences to family and friends.

[customsawyer]

One fine man and a great friend. RIP Gene.

[tule peak timber]

I made a point of thanking him at Jakes in 2019 for all of the knowledge I have gleaned from his many posts and papers. Still learning from him currently, and again, thank you again Gene. May you rest in peace.

[K-Guy]

I was fortunate to meet Gene several times over the years, he was a really good down to earth guy. On top of that the knowledge lost from his counsel is immeasurable. At least his struggles are over. RIP Gene.

[Andries]

I met Gene at two of Jake Dean's Projects.
He was always willing to share his knowledge and encouraging folks to get a better stack of lumber from their efforts.
The small solar kiln that he built to fit in the bed of his pickup truck was a sight to behold.
Sincere condolences to his family, friends and fellow woodland research community.

He will be sorely missed.

[Old Greenhorn]

Gene will be well missed, a long life well lived and there can be no doubt he made his mark in this world and will be remembered a very long time for his work. God Speed Wood Doc.

[jpassardi]

Rest in peace and thank you for your contributions.

[nativewolf]

This is tough, he was one of a kind in terms of knowledge and accessibility.  Basically just a life spent on a mission to advance the knowledge and use of wood products.  He was so helpful to us as we discussed sawmill kilns.  

He'll be missed.  RIP  

[longtime lurker]

Gene had that rare combination of a deep technical knowledge of his field coupled with the ability to explain it in ways a layman could understand. I learnt a lot from him although I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person. 
RIP Gene

[Magicman]

I first "met" Dr. Gene on the WoodWeb forum before I found The Forestry Forum.  Several years ago Gene visited us at the Cabin and while he and I took a 3 mile Golf Car tour of my property, PatD prepared supper.  It was a good visit.  We visited by phone after his cancer diagnosis and he was in good spirits.  Rest in Peace Gene.

[Larry]

I first met Gene when he was a moderator on the WoodWeb forum, I suppose close to 30 years ago. He took the time to freely share his knowledge with anybody that asked a question. He educated many of us in wood science.

I asked lots of questions about building a solar kiln and he took the time to go into detail with me. Later when he wrote an article for Sawmill & Woodlot he asked if he could use my kiln pictures. I was impressed.

I'll miss Gene and he will not be forgotten. When I have a question about wood drying my first source will be Drying Hardwood Lumber or Lumber Drying Sourcebook. Gene had a lot of input into those two books amongest others.

RIP Gene and condolences to your family.

[Dan_Shade]

I'm sorry to see this.  He brought a lot of knowledge to any wood discussions.  I was happy when he joined the forum. 

I signed up for a powder post webinar that he hosted a few years ago.  There was Gene, me and someone else, but he gave his lecture and I was able to ask him many questions, and he even answered all of them. 

RIP Gene. 

[scsmith42]

Gene was a great person and extraordinarily generous with his knowledge. He will be missed.

[doc henderson]

I was never a big wood web guy, but I had asked a few questions there, and Gene also directed me to the forestry forum.  We had many discussions about solar kilns, on this forum as well as at Jake's events and on the phone.  I think I exhausted him with theoretical and technical questions, and he finally told me, "Doc, it is just a solar kiln"!  I really enjoyed Him and his wife at events.  it will happen to us all someday, but I am sad.  A life to be proud of.  God speed Dr. Wengert.

[flatrock58]

I met Gene at Jake's several years ago.  He had so much wood knowledge and was always excited to share it.  I learned a lot from Gene every time he taught a class at the get-together.   He will be missed by all who work with wood.  He will live on through his books and articles.  I am praying for his family and their loss.

[taylorsmissbeehaven]

Huge blow to the wood community. My heart goes out to his family.

[doc henderson]

Gene and I at @customsawyer 

[Ianab]

Sad news for sure. 

At least he's left a legacy with his books and papers on wood processing, and the work he did with the solar kiln designs. Coming from the academic side of things, he always wanted to share what he had learned over the years, and that knowledge is his legacy. 

[thecfarm]

Sorry to see this.
Looks like he was a busy man teaching and writing.

[customsawyer]

I'll share a funny story.
Over the years Gene and I had "locked horns" a few times, in discussions about 2x lumber and the SPIB. It was always civil but to a point. He had his years of knowledge and experience, and I had my customer base that I was working off of. Well out of the blue one spring, he sent me a PM, on here, about how he had moved to Bishop, GA., and would like to teach a class on drying or grading at my next project. Of course I told him he could teach a class on anything he wanted, and I would be honored to have him as my guest.
Well I had just finished building my kiln and hadn't even dried a load of lumber yet. So I figured he might use this opportunity to get back at me a little. I just told myself to pull my big boy pants up, and take it on the chin. Needless to say that isn't Gene's style. He came in here and held some amazing classes. Then we stepped over to the kiln and opened the doors. Gene is standing inside the kiln, facing out towards a large group, teaching about drying schedules and such for about 30 minutes. Then he says "I'll tell you right now, one thing I see wrong with this kiln." I'm bracing myself, knowing that I was fixing to learn how I had messed up. "Jake hasn't made any plans on where he's going to build his next kiln. This is a nicely built kiln and it's going to make him some good money." My hat didn't fit right for the rest of the weekend. Of course Gene had no idea that I had concerns about his first visit. As it turns out, on the last project he was able to attend, I shared the story with him. He had a great laugh about it.
So on that same last visit, he's standing in same spot, handing out knowledge, just like before. Then he looks at me and winks. "I'll tell you one thing I see wrong with this kiln. Jake should have put a strong post in the concrete, right here in front of the kiln unit, so he can't bring a pack of lumber in to far." We had a great laugh together after the class.

[doc henderson]

Well, I will tell another funny story.  I attended my first sawmill project in 2019 I think.  Many on the thread had been there before.  I was asking a few questions but could not quite figure out what to expect.  That is when I reached out to a member of the group planning to attend.  It was Tom Hogard "Tom the Sawyer".  I knew he was from Kansas.  He said Jake can be a little intimidating and gruff so just stay out of the way.  He said if he calls you "scooter", it is not a compliment.   After I arrived, I felt very welcome and got comfortable.  Robert @YellowHammer and Jake were demonstrating reverse jelly roll.  They were talking with the overhead sawdust blower on.  I had been asked to turn it on, so I appointed myself to be the official turner "offer" and "oner" of the fan.  It was hard to hear so when we would stop sawing and the mill got turned off, I would turn off the blower.  The first time Jake said "don't turn that off Doc" so I turned it back on.  The second time I turned it off, I think I got a brief explanation of what a mess it would be if it got clogged up.  I just thought everyone would want to hear what they are saying over the loud fan.  I then realized if I did it again that I would be the overeducated doc from Ks that does not listen and was about to cause a big problem.  I do not think I turned it off a third time, and if I did, I am blocking that from my conscious mind, and I do not recall being called "Dr. Scooter".  I have given a few talks over the years and my wife now has attended twice and enjoys going.  it has been a great place to put real names and faces with handles on the forum.  It has been a great activity and have made many of us more of a family of friends.   Thanks @customsawyer for hosting these events and you do have a great kiln.  If you ever decide to put that post in the kiln, I will be happy to make a plaque.     May God rest the souls of our friends @GeneWengert-WoodDoc and @tom_the_sawyer .

[scsmith42]

Robert @YellowHammer and Jake were demonstrating reverse jelly roll. 

Oh my God... talk about a bad visual....  

[Larry]

Robert @YellowHammer and Jake were demonstrating reverse jelly roll.

Oh my God... talk about a bad visual.... 

I should not like this post. Do not read while eating lunch!