Terry Wellman (Lester R.)
- Terry Wellman
Terry has returned to the stars. Terry Wellman (Lester R.) died on Sunday, July 1, 2012, peacefully at his home on Mercer Island, WA. He was 72 and is survived by his wife Lisa, daughters Samantha and Jennifer, grandson Matthew and sister Susan Jakusz.
Terry was born in Chicago but grew up in Highland Park, IL. He graduated Antioch College in 1963 with a degree in business and psychology. His passion for computers and technology led to a successful career, first in sales of mainframes and then to management positions with companies developing dedicated word processors, desktop computers, and numerous imaging devices for the graphic arts. Terry was our “gestalt technologist,” using his broad knowledge in all areas of technology and his own creativity to predict and design leading edge products. He loved sharing that passion and enthusiasm. As a friend said, “Terry was a computing genius who was way ahead of his time. And every time he spoke to me about some computing idea he had there always was that sweet smile he had on his round face that was both enchanting and disarming.”
In the mid ’80’s Terry created a conceptual model for a “Personal InfoCom,” much like the smart phones of today. He designed and brought to market MPath, a graphical front end for the CTOS operating system. In 1986 he designed the specifications and managed the development of InPrint, a page layout and integrated Paint and Draw product for the PC well in advance of products on the market at the time.
Terry met Lisa, his wife of 47 years, at Antioch as he was rehearsing with his group for a weekly radio show of bluegrass music. For many years his contribution to the family’s dinner clean up was to supply music playing guitar, banjo and autoharp. We’re still singing those songs.
T was never happier than while messing around in the dirt, creating beautiful gardens in the many homes our family had over the years. In addition to designing the landscapes, he planted hundreds of trees, fruit and vegetable plots. He tended a collection of Bonsai trees for over 20 years.
To Lisa he was a lover, best friend, partner and mentor for almost 50 years. He was a loving husband for almost 48 years. T loved his family with everything he was. He never stopped trying to grow, to understand, to become. He did the work.
He believed that you needed to be able to say only five things to the one’s you care about: I love you, You matter to me, I’m sorry, Please and Thank you. He said them often. Especially the first two.
He will be missed but is carried in our hearts and minds in a thousand wonderful memories.
Terry’s family plans a private memorial service in the tall trees of northern California. In lieu of flowers, his family asks you consider a donation to The Nature Conservancy, www.nature.org, or just plant a tree and remember T.
6 Responses to “Terry Wellman (Lester R.)”
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I had my iMac read this to us in “Victoria” voice. I think T would have liked that. Never stop trying to grow, to understand, or become. Do the work. Love it. He was a brilliant person.
Love to you all,
Bryan
I will always love and remember the fun brush rushes we used to take on any given weekend during the summers of my childhood.
Love you,
daddy
T, we will miss you. The week in Seattle we had with you & Lisa was wonderful. The warmth, the caring and the love we felt from you made us feel like we had lived with you for many years. Your sense of humor was, well, let us just say it was different. You were and will always be, “our kind of guy.” We love you and will miss you. I will not cry for you, I think it would embarrass you and it will cloud all the great memories. You are at peace, G-d Bless.
Love,
Judi & Brett
A wonderful childhood friend shared her thoughts… It means so much that Dad impacted others in such a profound way… Thank you to all. Samantha
“I wanted to let you know that I have been thinking a lot about you and your dad these past few days. I am truly sorry for your loss.
He’s meant a lot to me over the years in very unexpected ways, but it became especially apparent to me that the summer of ’86, when I spent those months at your parents house in Chicago, would change my life for ever.
I think the thing I wanted to share with you (and your mom) is that was the summer that I discovered that I was not in fact the crazy conservative my parents had tried to bring me up to be. And that summer and time with you and your parents showed me that there was a kinder gentler way of living in this human race.
I had always attributed my tree-hugging liberal leanings to college, but in fact, as I have been thinking about your family these past few days and that summer in particular, I think it happened right there in the burbs of Chicago. I remember lots of meaningful talks and hearing and seeing them living a life that was so unlike what I was used to, that I started to question the whole political spectrum and my place in it. For that I will always be grateful!
The obituary that you posted was particularly touching and really paid a beautiful tribute to him as a dad, husband, thinker, creator and just all ’round good guy. I appreciate that he did the work. I would like to honor his memory by trying to live that life as well.”
Terry was the epitome of a “mensch”. His energy, integrity, and enthusiasm for life and learning, were a joy to share. I was not just honored to know him — I was thrilled! Thank you Wellmans for sharing him so generously with the rest of us.
I concur with all the sentiments expressed above that “T” was indeed a wonderful human being. I was his and Lisa’s tax accountant for many years, and always enjoyed our encounters. T consistently made potentially stressful situations both fun and stimulating. I consider myself fortunate to have known him, have great memories, and give my heartiest thanks!!