Albert George Wendt

Albert George Wendt, 5/19/22-10/20/11, was born to Martha and Hugo in Stanwood, Iowa. He graduated from Olin High School and joined the U.S. Navy at age 19. While aboard ship, he learned the electrical trade. He was accepted to officer training school, receiving his college education in the navy, spending a semester at St. Thomas and a semester at Northwestern before completing school at the University of California, Berkley, where he studied naval science, psychology and history. On 6/24/45 he married Margaret Marilyn Macomber, his high school classmate. They moved to Phoenix in 1947 [to be out of the cold and be near relatives of Margaret]. With his naval training as an electrician, he became an apprentice and then journeyman electrician, and later served as president of IBEW local 640 working for paid vacation as a union benefit. Working at Cannon and Watson, he became a partner and the company became Cannon and Wendt Electric. In 1964 Ernie Cannon retired, allowing Albert to place his personal stamp on his business and on electrical contracting as an industry, locally, nationally and internationally. Cannon and Wendt was the electrical contractor on countless commercial buildings, buildings at the ASU campus, and America West Arena, Glendale Arena and the University of Phoenix Stadium. Cannon and Wendt did more hospital work than all other contractors combined. Al is renowned for his innovations in management and started Arizona’s first Electrical Project Supervision training school. Nationally, he was awarded the Coggeshall Award for contributions to the technical and training goals of the industry, the Comstock Award for contributions in the area of labor relations, and the James H. McGraw Award for his outstanding service to the industry. He is the only individual to receive all three awards. A fourth award, the Wendt Award, recognizes excellence in the industry, with recipients being announced at the annual National Electrical Contractors Association national meeting. As a way of giving back to the industry, he donated land adjacent to Cannon and Wendt to allow the building of the current apprenticeship facility. The company was sold to his employees through the ESOP process where he remained president of the Board until his death. During his career he was a member of the Lions club, serving as president and developing many long lasting friendships. As a member of the Shriners, he became a Jester. He believed in enjoying his time off and spent many weekends with family at get-a-ways in Cholla Bay, Payson and Pinetop. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, his children: Albert Guy Wendt, M.D. (wife Saundra), James Robert Wendt, M.D. (wife Mary), Jeanette Kay Wendt, M.D. (husband Bud), grandchildren: Geordie, Kate, Emily, and Bobby, and great-grandchildren: Delliah, Nathaniel, and Elissa. A memorial service will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Congregational Church (5524 E. Lafayette Blvd.) on Saturday, October 29 at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley and/or The University of Arizona Cancer Center.