Obituary of Virgil Eugene Wenger

Virgil Wenger, longtime resident of Darien, Connecticut, passed away February 12, 2024. He was 93.

Virgil was born on August 23,1930, in Salina, Kansas to Edward and Rosa Wenger. He was one of four brothers growing up in the depression-era Midwest, which shaped his faith, hardworking nature and down-to-earth values. 

Virgil was an accomplished athlete—a three letterman at Salina High School who was selected for the All-State football and basketball teams, earning him a football scholarship to Kansas University where he also played varsity basketball. He proudly played for the Jayhawks until contracting polio in his junior year. Thereafter he served the team as an athletic trainer until graduating with a BS in Business Administration. Shortly before finishing at KU, Virgil had the great fortune to meet his future bride, Jo Putney, and they wed in 1956 —a marriage that would span 67 years.

Virgil worked as a CPA and Managing Partner for Arthur Young in Tulsa, OK before going on to complete the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He was subsequently promoted to the headquarters office in New York in 1972, where he was appointed National Director of Management Consulting. He then transferred to International Services where he was put in charge of operations in the Middle East and Far East. His extensive travel as a consultant perfectly suited his business acumen and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. As a Senior Partner, he was instrumental in steering the firm toward its successful merger with Ernst & Whinney. He retired from Ernst & Young in 1990.

Virgil gave generously of his time at church and in the community, serving on the Darien RTM for many years. He was also a past Trustee and Chairman of the New York Rotary Foundation and dedicated time to teaching kids in Harlem the basics of economics and managing money.

Virgil loved the outdoors. Boating on Long Island Sound and spending an afternoon clamming were favorite pastimes. He also loved gardening with his dog Annie in tow. 

But the real love of Virgil’s life was his family. To his last day, his face would light up at the sight of Jo, their kids, grandchildren and great grandchild. He was a “people person” to the core, and no one met him without his bigger-than-life spirit making an impression. He was jovial and never met a stranger, believing we are all equal in the sight of God. He was curious about everyone he met and had a unique and often amusing way of engaging with people that left them feeling noticed—and usually better. 

Virgil is survived by his beloved wife, Jo, of Darien; his sons, David Wenger (Elizabeth) of Darien, Michael Wenger (Linda) of Gordonsville, VA, and Derrick Wenger (Nana) of Coconut Grove, FL; his daughters, Susan Leatham (John) of Anderson, SC, Karen Finn (Tom) of Darien, and Melissa McConnell (Chris) of Burlington, VT. He had 18 grandchildren: Amanda, Derek, Ashley, Ryan, Matthew, Michaela, Connor, Rachel, Lucas, Dylan, Christian, James, Elizabeth, Riley, Charlie, Erik, Luke, and Kate; and one great granddaughter, Nora. He took great pride and delight in each of them. He was predeceased by two brothers, Norman and Les (Mary Gay), and one nephew, Dan, and is survived by his brother, Bruce (Suzie) of Tulsa, OK and nine loving nephews and nieces.

To know Virgil was to love him—and to know you were loved—and his memory will be cherished by his family and friends until we joyfully reunite on the other side.

A service for Virgil will be held at 10:30 on March 1 at St. Thomas More Church, 374 Middlesex Road, Darien, with interment to follow at Spring Grove Cemetery. Virgil Wenger Livestream