About This Memory Space
This page was created for Leigh Buchanan Bangs's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Leigh Buchanan Bangs's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Leigh Buchanan Bangs. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Leigh Buchanan Bangs carved a remarkable path as a pioneering chemist, devoted family man, and community pillar, whose innovative spirit and boundless curiosity left an indelible mark on science, business, and the lives he touched.
Born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, to Edward E. and Laura M. Bangs, Leigh grew up as an only child amid moves across the state, honing a sharp intellect that propelled him through Reading High School and into Colby College. There, he earned a chemistry degree in 1958, sparking a lifelong romance with Sonia Wuellner, whom he wed the following year. Advanced studies at MIT culminated in a 1965 PhD, after which the couple relocated to Midland, Michigan, with their young sons, embracing lakefront cabin life amid Dow Chemical pursuits. Decades of global exploration, entrepreneurial triumphs, and post-retirement adventures defined a journey enriched by science, nature, and deep human connections, even as he navigated profound loss and rediscovered joy with Alice Shooter.
Leigh's professional odyssey began at Dow Chemical, delving into high-temperature metallurgy and plastic coatings that yielded seven patents. Transitioning to uniform latex particles, he emerged as a worldwide authority, shifting from lab work to business leadership at Dow Diagnostics. In 1988, alongside Sonia, he founded Bangs Laboratories in Indiana, specializing in medical diagnostics chemicals; the firm expanded to 20 staff, earned global acclaim for reliable latex supplies, and prompted worldwide seminars. Dubbed 'The Particle Doctor,' Leigh penned an authoritative book on the subject. Post-2003 sale, his influence persisted through Colby College advisory roles—crowned Distinguished Alumnus in 2018—and community volunteering.
Photos of Leigh's Life
Family & Loved Ones
Central to Leigh's fulfillment were the enduring ties he nurtured with loved ones, from his marriage to Sonia that fostered a science-passionate household, to the blended harmony he built later with Alice Shooter after mutual widowhood drew them together. Their shared zeal for exploration carried into visits with blended grandchildren—Lauren, Sam, Madison, Olivia, Nolan, and Eleanor—while sons Mark, Adam (with Judy), and Alex (with Rebecca) carried forward the analytical torch in their own fields. Leigh's gentle guidance and adventurous heart wove a tapestry of warmth, resilience, and unwavering support through life's twists.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from Leigh's circle illuminate a man whose inventive mind and generous soul inspired widespread admiration, with recurring notes on his trailblazing expertise and the quiet strength he offered those around him.
For those looking for service information