RIP Richard Wendley

Richard Wendley, 93, died November 21, 2013, in Chico, CA after a brief illness. Richard was born in Rochester, NY on February 8, 1920. After serving as a sergeant in the Special Services of the U.S. Army during World War II, he worked as an actor in New York City, appearing in Broadway plays as well as live television. In the 1950s, he began writing for television, with episodes for The Web, Matinee Theatre, Kraft Television Theatre, and Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse. In 1965, he moved with his family to California and continued writing for television, including episodes for Combat, Bonanza, The Virginian, and The Big Valley. Later in his career, he wrote dozens of shows for the Lutheran Television program This is the Life as well as three Lutheran Television specials. In 1977, Richard was nominated for an Emmy award by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for outstanding individual achievement in writing. He returned to the stage in 1997 to perform the lead role of Scrooge in an Equity production of A Christmas Carol in Thousand Oaks, CA. In retirement, he worked as a volunteer at the Mary Health of the Sick skilled nursing facility in Newbury Park, CA. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Vera; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Jenna Wendley of Elk Grove, CA; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Marty Akimoto of Chico, CA; and four grandchildren, Emily and Ellen Akimoto and Annie and Eve Wendley.