Ronald C. Wendling, t he son of a heating salesman and a bookkeeper, he grew up in Buffalo, New York and attended Canisius High School, a Jesuit institution. He spent the late nineteen fifties and early sixties as a Jesuit seminarian but left the order before being ordained to the Catholic priesthood.

Dr. Wendling acted as an instructor in English at Canisius College, Buffalo, NY, between 1963 and 1965. From 1965 to 1966 he was an instructor in English at St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA. He earned his Ph.D. in English from Fordham University. Then he joined the staff of Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, serving as an instructor, 1969-1970, and later an assistant professor of English, 1970-1972. In 1972, Ronald returned to Saint Joseph's University where he taught English until his retirement in 2006. During his time at Saint Joseph's, he also held a number of different positions: assistant professor, 1972-1981, associate professor, 1981-1995, professor of English, director of Honors Program, 1986-1990.

He has written extensively about the Romantic poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and is the author of the following texts: Coleridge's Progress to Christianity: Experience and Authority in Religious Faith and Unsuitable Treasure: an Ex-Jesuit Priest Makes Peace with the Past. Additional scholarly contributions appeared in periodicals such as Studies in Romanticism, Papers on Language and Literature, Studies in the Literary Imagination, Chronicle of Higher Education, On Teaching Coleridge, and America.

He recently resided in Wynnewood, PA and enjoyed spending summers on Page Lake in the Endless Mountains of Susquehanna County, PA. He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Mary Frances Lynch Wendling of Drexel Hill, PA, his daughters Jennifer Wendling (Wallingford, PA) and Margaret Wendling Bacheler (Media, PA), and his brother-in-law Jack Coyle of Gulf Shores, AL. He is predeceased by his sister, Patricia Wendling Coyle (Gulf Shores, AL).

Relatives and friends are invited on Friday February 10th, Viewing from 9 to 10 AM with Funeral Mass at 10 AM at St. Colman Church, Lancaster Ave. & Argyle Rd., Ardmore PA. Interment is private for the family.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations in Ronald's memory can be made to the Jesuit Northeast Province : Support Our Work - USA East Province (jesuitseast.org)