William Leslie Pengelly was born on March 3, 1918 to Mary Ann and William James Pengelly in Negaunee, Michigan.
Pengelly attended Northern Michigan University and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology in 1939. He worked as a high school teacher in from 1939-1944. While a teacher, he attended University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and began working toward a Masters of Science degree from 1940-1942. He and Mary Derleth Pengelly married on June 21, 1941; they raised two sons and four daughters during their marriage.
Pengelly served in the US Navy from 1944-1945. He was stationed in the 10th Fleet, based in Washington, D.C, which controlled antisubmarine operations in the Atlantic.
In 1946, Pengelly returned to the University of Michigan and in 1948, he completed his Masters of Science degree in Wildlife Conservation. He then worked at the University of Idaho, Moscow, as an instructor from 1948-1949. Next, Pengelly worked for Idaho Fish and Game from 1949-1954. He took a year off from 1951-1952 and pursued his Doctorate degree at Utah State University, Logan. He completed his work and earned his Ph.D. degree in Wildlife Conservation in 1961.
In 1954, Pengelly accepted a position at The University of Montana as director of the Wildlife Extension program. He served in this position until 1963, when he became a professor in the University’s Wildlife Conservation program. While on leave from UM in 1968-1969, Pengelly was a professor at the University of Alaska. Upon returning to the University of Montana, Pengelly served as the Coordinator for the Environmental Studies Program and continued his professorship. In 1973, Pengelly became chairperson of the Wildlife Biology program and filled this position until his retirement in 1984.
Pengelly’s service record is extensive both on and off campus. He served on multiple University and departmental committees. He was a member of at least twelve professional organization and four honorary societies. He served the Montana Wilderness Association as vice president in 1967 and the Wildlife Society as vice president in 1977 and president in 1978. Governor Thomas Judge appointed Pengelly to serve a four-year term on the Montana Fish and Game Commission in 1973. Pengelly also served on the Environmental Quality Council from 1981-1985.
Pengelly was a highly regarded public speaker and presented numerous talks to local, state and national organizations. He received recognition with local and national awards including the American Motors Conservation Award in 1967, the Outstanding Educator of America Award in 1972, the Einarsen Award in 1973 and the Montana Druids’ Outstanding Forestry Professor Award in 1977.
W. Leslie Pengelly died on March 16, 1991, at the age of 73.
This collection contains papers created and compiled by Pengelly representing his career in wildlife management and conservation. They include correspondence, speeches and writings, research papers, teaching papers, service papers, and papers from Pengelly’s service on the Montana Fish and Game Commission and as president of The Wildlife Society.
Series I, Correspondence, contains general and miscellaneous correspondence. Box 1 contains general correspondence organized chronologically. Box 2 contains general correspondence organized alphabetically by correspondent. It also contains miscellaneous correspondence Pengelly complied that is not directly to or from him.
Series II, Speeches and Writings, contains Pengelly’s speeches and writings with supporting research materials. Materials in Boxes 3 and 4 remain in their original order. Pengelly identified many of his speeches by the organization to which he spoke, the location and the date. Box 5 contains speeches and writings found throughout the rest of the collection and moved into Series II during processing. This box is organized alphabetically.
Series III, Research Papers, contains papers from research Pengelly conducted. These materials include correspondence, data, proposals, handwritten notes and articles with notes. The most significant areas of research include the Bitterroot, Yellowstone National Park, grizzly bears, elk, predators, forest fires, logging, clear-cutting, and forest and wildlife management. These materials are unorganized.
Series IV, Teaching Papers, contains papers from courses Pengelly taught. These papers include correspondence, lesson plans, lecture outlines, reading materials and field trip notes. There are materials from a USFS course Pengelly taught. This series is organized alphabetically.
Series V, Service Papers, contains papers from Pengelly’s professional service. These papers include Pengelly’s professional service. Box 14 contains records from his American Motors Conservation Award and Einarsen Award. There are pamphlets and abstracts from conferences and symposiums that Pengelly attended. There are notes, correspondence and newsletters from professional organizations to which he belonged. Pengelly’s service records and vitae are also included. Box 15 contains correspondence, reports, data and meeting minutes from The University of Montana retrenchment committee. This series is organized into general service and university service.
Series VI, Montana Fish and Game Commission Papers, contains papers from Pengelly’s service on the Montana Fish and Game Board of Commissioners. These papers include meeting minutes, correspondence, notes, clippings and historical information on the commission. This series is organized chronological.
Series VII, The Wildlife Society Presidential Papers, contains materials from The Wildlife Society and Pengelly’s presidency. These papers include correspondence, notes, annual meeting materials, meeting minutes and clippings. Materials from the national organization and Montana chapter are included in this series. This series is organized chronologically.
Series VIII, Photographs, contains photographs and one slide. Subjects of the photographs include Yellowstone National Park, Gifford Pinochet, The Wildlife Society banquets and various wildlife.
Series IX, Restricted Papers, contains papers that are restricted. These include Pengelly’s faculty evaluations, service record and student materials. There are also notes and correspondence regarding the School of Forestry Dean search, Montana Fish and Game and The Wildlife Society.
The collection is divided into nine series:
Series I: Correspondence, 0.8 linear feet, 1951-1988
Series II: Speeches and Writings, 2.4 linear feet, 1955-1986
Series III: Research Papers, 3.0 linear feet, 1937-1984
Series IV: Teaching Papers, 1.3 linear feet, 1943-1982
Series V: Service Papers, 0.8 linear feet, 1949-1982
Series VI: Montana Fish and Game Commission Papers, 0.2 linear feet, 1956-1978
Series VII: The Wildlife Society Presidential Papers, 0.4 linear feet, 1971-1985
Series VIII: Photographs, 0.2 linear feet, 1961-1978
Series IX: Restricted Papers, 0.4 linear feet, 1963-1985
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula. Materials in Series IX are restricted.
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright status unknown.
[Name of document or photograph number], W. Leslie Pengelly Papers, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana--Missoula.
Gift of the Pengelly family, 1993 and 2006
A number of published materials were removed from this collection during processing.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.