Wayne V. Black's Obituary
Wayne Vincent Black, 74, of McLean, Virginia, a retired telecommunications attorney who represented petroleum and natural gas companies, electric utilities and others before the Federal Communications Commission for decades, passed away peacefully at his home in Dewey Beach, DE, on November 9, 2011. He was a competitive biker, swimmer and runner, who competed in numerous triathlons locally and internationally, including the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon.
Mr. Black graduated from North Kansas City High School, North Kansas City, Mo., in 1955 and from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1959 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He was commissioned 2nd Lt. in the U. S. Army, and was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, serving as Missouri Chapter president in 1958-1959. Following six months of active duty in the U. S. Army at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., he entered George Washington University Law School in 1960, in Washington, D. C. While in law school, he worked at the Special Industrial Radio Services Association and for the American Trucking Association in Washington, D. C., where he met Ilze Udris. Married on June 5, 1965, they celebrated their 46th anniversary at Dewey Beach this past June.
Prior to receiving his law degree in 1964, Mr. Black joined the law firm of Keller and Heckman LLP, in the Washington, D. C. From 1987 until his retirement in 2007, he served as the head of the firm’s Telecommunications Practice Group. He was the firm’s Managing Partner from 1991 through 2004. Fellow partners and clients came to rely upon him as both counselor and friend, describing him as “a terrific lawyer, a real gentleman and a steady hand.”
In his 43 years of practicing law, Mr. Black represented many of the country’s largest oil and gas companies and electric utilities before the FCC in a wide variety of telecommunications matters. He also represented the Telecommunications Committee of the American Petroleum Institute (API) and served as General Counsel of the Energy Telecommunications & Electrical Association (ENTELEC). In recognition of his many years of service on behalf of ENTELEC, the Board of Directors established a lasting tribute to Mr. Black in 2007 with the creation of an annual scholarship in his name.
Mr. Black’s later work in communications was foreshadowed in his high school years by his hobby as ham radio operator (call letters: WOTTJ). He acquired additional skills in communication through debate and National Forensic League tournaments. He enjoyed sports as well as Hi-Y and Radio Club and was a member of De Molay. When not working summers at the family restaurant and the North Kansas City Water Department, he attended Boy Scout camp at Osceola, MO., Christian Youth Fellowship and YMCA camps in the Ozarks and interdenominational youth conferences at Lake Geneva, WI. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Underscoring his belief in the importance of building and enriching relationships, he was active in the LifeSpring organization from 1975 through the mid-1980s.
Wayne's most cherished days were spent at Dewey Beach with his wife Ilze, his children and grandchildren. A perfect day for Wayne might include a long run or bike ride; a swim in the ocean, a walk on the beach, and a little reading followed by a beach nap. Weather permitting; the day would always close sharing refreshments on the beach with family and New Orleans Street friends. Each Labor Day, for the past 18 years, Wayne and Ilze held a sunrise prayer service on the beach to acknowledge their blessings and pay thanks.
Mr. Black was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest C. and Estella B. Black, and by one sister, Diane Louise Black. He is survived by the loves of his life: Ilze, his wife of 46 years and partner in every endeavor; his daughters, Christina Ann Black and husband Carsten Wierwille of New York City, NY; Andra Kathleen Bessenbacher and husband Steve of Overland Park, KS; son, Brett Zemgals Black of Rhode Island; and grandsons, Patrick Wayne Bessenbacher, Michael Edward Bessenbacher and Brian Mathew Bessenbacher of Overland Park, KS. He also leaves his sisters, Frances Marie Garrett and husband Robert and family of Kansas City, MO., and Dona Sue Black Cool of Columbia, MO., and her families of Kansas City and Atlanta, as well as his sisters-in-law, Anda Udris Andersons of Pasadena, CA, and Sylvia Udris of Boston, MA, and their families, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at Cherrydale United Methodist Church, 3701 Lorcum Lane, Arlington, VA, on Saturday, December 3, 2011, 1:00PM, with the Reverend Dr. Elizabeth Foss officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes, DE.
The family suggests memorial contributions to MDS Foundation (Myelodysplastic Syndromes), 4573 South Broad St., Suite 150, Yardville, NJ 08620.
Please sign Mr. Black's online guestbook on this page.
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