Wendell Phillip Liemohn
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Wendell Philip Liemohn of Louisville, TN, passed on to his Heavenly Home on Friday, May 7, 2021, at the age of 86. He was born on August 4, 1934 to Edwin and Clara Halvorson Liemohn in Fargo, North Dakota, where his father was on the faculty of Oak Grove Academy. At the age of three he moved with his sister and parents to Rochester, New York, where his father attained a Master of Arts degree at Eastman School of Music. From there they moved to Waverly, Iowa, where his father accepted a position as the head of the music department and director of the choir at Wartburg College, a Lutheran college. He lived there for 18 years, as his father obtained a Doctor of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary in New York City and remained at the college. Probably because they lived across the street from the college football practice field while he was in grade school, football became much more important to him than music. He was named to the All-Conference football team in Waverly high school and won awards in football as a student at Wartburg. A three-sport letter winner, he became Wartburg's first All-American in 1955 when he was named to the Little All-America football team. He was a four-time All-Iowa Conference football selection, three as a first-teamer. He played both offense and defense for four years and never missed a play in 34 games. He lettered two years in basketball and played on the 1955 championship team. He lettered one year in track and participated in baseball during his first year at Wartburg. He was later named to the Wartburg College Athletic Hall of Fame. During several summers while in college he worked in the Forest Service in Idaho. During this era serving in the military was a must. After college he entered the Naval Flight Program at Pensacola, Florida. He was assigned to an admiral's staff at Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Virginia and while there also played football for the Base. He was awarded a large trophy as the Outstanding Player in the Red Feather Bowl in 1957. After completing his regular service he returned to Waverly where he was offered a position as an assistant coach on the college football team. It was there that he met the love of his life, Meredith Stuhmer, a senior in his father's music department. They were married in January 1961 and immediately moved to the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa where Wendell earned his Master of Arts and Ph.D. He subsequently taught at Rice University, Fort Hays Kansas State College, Oshkosh Wisconsin State College, the University of Nebraska, Indiana University and at the University of Tennessee beginning in 1978. Among other things, he taught Adapted Physical Education for the handicapped, Anatomy, and at UT he started M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Biomechanics and Sports Medicine. He published a number of research articles and a book "Exercise Prescription and the Back" and held a couple of national offices while teaching. In 1988 He was named a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and also of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education. In 1989 the University of Tennessee College of Education presented him the John Tunstall Outstanding Faculty Award for outstanding service, teaching and research. He was proud of his service in the Navy. He stayed in the reserves and drilled at Naval Reserve Training Centers in Waterloo, IA; Iowa City, IA; Houston, TX; and Naval Air Stations at Olathe, KS; Glenview, IL and Atlanta, GA. He spent 2-10 weeks each summer on active duty, was Commanding Officer of a unit at Glenview Naval Air Station and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Captain. Wendell and Meredith moved from Knoxville to a waterfront property in Blount County in 1994 and enjoyed their life there. After retiring from UT at age 70 Wendell's biggest accomplishments included hiking all the 900 miles of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park trails 3+ times plus cross-country skiing in the Park when there was enough snow. He enjoyed making many friends in his teaching career, in the Navy and hiking. He was a long-time member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Knoxville, where for many years he was head usher. He was proud of his all-Norwegian heritage and enjoyed being a member of Vikings of the Smokies Lodge of Sons of Norway. Wendell and Meredith were blessed with two sons, Eric and Kirk, who with their wives have given them four beautiful granddaughters, all of whom he loved dearly. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his sister Muriel, brother-in-law Eugene Boedecker, father-in-law and mother-in-law Henry and Mildred Stuhmer, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dr. Neil and Janice Stuhmer. He leaves his beloved wife of 60 years, Meredith Liemohn, their son Eric and his wife Chris of Knoxville and their daughters Olivia Thomas and husband Drew Thomas of Hope Mills, NC, Marilee Metzger and husband Race Metzger of Knoxville; their son Kirk, his wife Catherine and their daughters, Alden and Megan of Johns Creek GA; niece Beth Boedecker Deam, her husband Marvin of Chanhassan MN and their three sons and their families; nephew Paul Boedecker of Excelsior MN; nephew Tim Stuhmer and his wife Samantha and three children of Alma NE; niece Tana Clare and her husband Dr. David Clare and two sons of Lincoln NE and many friends and extended relatives.
Wendell and Meredith enjoyed traveling to 28 different countries, many on river cruises with Grand Circle Travels and land trips with Overseas Adventure Travels. They spent a good amount of time in China and Croatia where Wendell lectured. The family appreciates the loving care given to Wendell by Amedysis Hospice staff and caregivers Jackie and Iva. Because of covid restrictions the family will have a private service where his cremains will be inurned in the columbarium at Messiah Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church or your favorite charity. A celebration of Wendell's life will be held at a later time when covid restrictions are lifted. Arrangements made by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com