TAPPAHANNOCK, Sept. 28 – Dr. Karl Frederick Wenger, 92, of Tappahannock, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 26, 2010. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Born of German immigrants in Springfield, Massachusetts, Dr. Wenger was a graduate of the University of Maine and Duke University. (Both universities conferred on him their distinguished alumnus awards.) He served for 35 years in the research branch of the US Forest Service; his last assignment was as Director of the Rocky Mountain Research Station at Ft. Collins, CO with responsibility for the USFS research in the high plains, the central Rockies and the southwest.

Dr. Wenger volunteered and served for three and one-half years in the US Army Air Force in WWII, and 25 years in the US Air Force Reserve.

He was also active in the Society of American Foresters, serving as Vice President/President 1997-1998; Editor, Forestry Handbook 1978-1984, published in 1984 and still in use; Editorial Consultant, Journal of Forestry 1978-1984; Associate Editor, Journal of Forestry 1963-1970; Vice-Chair/Chair, SAF Division of Silviculture 1961-1962. He was also active in state and local chapters of the SAF.

He was a member of the Virginia State Water Control Board 1996-2003; the Joint Legislative Committee to Study Chip Mills 1999-2001; and the Virginia State Tree Farm Committee 1994-1998. He served on the National Wildlife Federation Panel on the Weyerhaeuser Operations in Oklahoma and Arkansas, 1981-1982. He was Program Chairman for the XV Congress of the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations, Gainesville, FL, 1971; and for the conference on Multiple Use of Southern Forests, Callaway Gardens, GA, 1970. In 1960 he was chosen as President of the Duke of University School of Forestry Alumni Association of a two-year term.

Civic organizations in which he was involved include Rotary International of Tappahannock, serving as president 2001-2002; Volunteer Adjunct Researcher, American Cancer Society, 1992-1997; Boy Scout Advisory Board Southampton County, 1955-1956; Jaycees, Franklin, 1950-1954.

Dr. Wenger is survived by his wife of 68 years, the former Naureene Springer; daughter, Karlynn W. Bucher and husband, Bruce, also of Tappahannock; and two granddaughters, Kimberly Bucher Maher and husband, Marcus and Kristen E. Bucher of Northern Virginia; son, Karl F. Wenger Jr. and wife, Kathie of Bedford, PA; granddaughter, Kimberly L. Parkin and husband, Brian; three grandsons, Eric K. Wenger and wife, Missy, Kevin E. Wenger and David F. Wenger; and three great-grandsons, Jonathan Maher, Thomas Maher and Will Parkin.

He was beloved and will be greatly missed.

Family will receive friends on Friday, October 1, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Dunkum Funeral Home.

A funeral mass will be held at the Church of the Nativity in Buckingham Courthouse on Saturday, October 2, at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at Buckingham County Cemetery at Buckingham Court House.

Contributions may be made to the Buckingham County Rescue Squad or the Tappahannock/Essex County Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department.

Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn, is serving the family.