Pengelly, W. Leslie (William Leslie), 1918-1991

William Leslie Pengelly was born on March 3, 1918 to Mary Ann and William James Pengelly in Negaunee, Michigan.

Pengelly attended Northern Michigan University and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology in 1939. He worked as a high school teacher in from 1939-1944. While a teacher, he attended University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and began working toward a Masters of Science degree from 1940-1942. He and Mary Derleth Pengelly married on June 21, 1941; they raised two sons and four daughters during their marriage.

Pengelly served in the US Navy from 1944-1945. He was stationed in the 10th Fleet, based in Washington, D.C, which controlled antisubmarine operations in the Atlantic.

In 1946, Pengelly returned to the University of Michigan and in 1948, he completed his Masters of Science degree in Wildlife Conservation. He then worked at the University of Idaho, Moscow, as an instructor from 1948-1949. Next, Pengelly worked for Idaho Fish and Game from 1949-1954. He took a year off from 1951-1952 and pursued his Doctorate degree at Utah State University, Logan. He completed his work and earned his Ph.D. degree in Wildlife Conservation in 1961.

In 1954, Pengelly accepted a position at The University of Montana as director of the Wildlife Extension program. He served in this position until 1963, when he became a professor in the University’s Wildlife Conservation program. While on leave from UM in 1968-1969, Pengelly was a professor at the University of Alaska. Upon returning to the University of Montana, Pengelly served as the Coordinator for the Environmental Studies Program and continued his professorship. In 1973, Pengelly became chairperson of the Wildlife Biology program and filled this position until his retirement in 1984.

Pengelly’s service record is extensive both on and off campus. He served on multiple University and departmental committees. He was a member of at least twelve professional organization and four honorary societies. He served the Montana Wilderness Association as vice president in 1967 and the Wildlife Society as vice president in 1977 and president in 1978. Governor Thomas Judge appointed Pengelly to serve a four-year term on the Montana Fish and Game Commission in 1973. Pengelly also served on the Environmental Quality Council from 1981-1985.

Pengelly was a highly regarded public speaker and presented numerous talks to local, state and national organizations. He received recognition with local and national awards including the American Motors Conservation Award in 1967, the Outstanding Educator of America Award in 1972, the Einarsen Award in 1973 and the Montana Druids’ Outstanding Forestry Professor Award in 1977.

W. Leslie Pengelly died on March 16, 1991, at the age of 73.

From the guide to the W. Leslie Pengelly Papers, 1937-1988, (University of Montana--Missoula Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)