Firstly, to the family of Dr. Langston, I am very sorry for the loss of your beloved. Losing someone who has been such an immense part of one's life is painful work and my heart goes out to you as you grieve for this individual who led a remarkable, full life.  I knew Dr. Langston as my husband's former boss but gained greater respect and admiration for him outside the professional arena.  Wann and I attended aerobics class together for years at Balcones Research Center/Pickle Research Campus prior to me ever marrying Bob Rainey.  I thought the world of Wann because he was not so macho in the sense that he took responsibility for his own health to enroll in the class and because he was the only male amidst all of us other women (I could never envision my husband signing up for this kind of exercise class). Wann and I both attended religiously and even though I received a T-shirt for having the best attendance, I feel Wann deserved greater recognition than me which he never received.  After I lost my job at Pickle, I discontinued the classes but he steadfastly continued until a few years before his death and I wondered that he was the longest-standing, participating member the aerobics class ever had.  As I spoke to him at Marietta's memorial I asked him if he agreed and he thoughtfully replied yes.  I inquired if he was ever acknowledged as such and he answered negatively.  So I wish to honor him now publicly, alas posthumously, for his faithful attendance and work through the many years: Congratulations, Wann!.  As the lone male in the class, Wann would always exercise in the back on the last roll; I was always in the front roll and one time I commented to him about this "arrangement".  Quite unexpected and with his straight-faced, characteristic dry sense of humor, he explained the view was rather scenic.  I am sorry that he has moved on and I fantasize that he is now in a place where he has regained his youthful, vigorous body and no longer needs to be enrolled in aerobics classes at the gym.  Reminiscently, Dee A. Henneke

I owe Dr. Langston my career.  He encapsulated everything that being a vertebrate paleontologist means.  He was also a decent, honest, and deceptively kind human being.

Dr. Langston (I'm sorry, but even now I can hardly bring myself to call him ‘Wann') was the first VP-er I encountered as a prospective grad student at UT in 1995.  After the first minute or so of introduction he gruffly let me know in no uncertain terms that he was “retired and not taking any more students”. But he warmed up over the years and proved to be one of the most supportive and generous people encountered in my time there.  From allowing almost unlimited access to his incredible library and his incomparable knowledge of seemingly all things paleontological, to him teaching prep and sculpting techniques he'd learned and applied over decades, to unapologetically pointing out shortcomings in a direction of research, to him ‘hiring' me and other students to help clear mesquite from the ranch in Bertram, to listening to him recount tales (both comical and sobering) of his Naval service during WWII, the time spent with and around Dr. Langston was of immeasurable value.  I am so sad to learn of his passing, and count myself truly honored to have known him.  My sincere condolences to his family.

I am deeply sorry that my friend Wann Langston, Jr. has passed away. When I first wrote to him as a high school student he kindly answered my letters and send me his publications. Wann was a tremendous source of encouragement, and I always enjoyed talking with him about bones and the many odd characters in our profession. Under that sometimes seemingly gruff exterior was a kind, generous soul. I will miss Wann and send my condolences to his family.

OBITUARY

Wann Langston Jr.

July 10, 1921 – April 7, 2013

Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home

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