Leo Gene

Werneke Ph.D.

Leo Gene Werneke Ph. D. was born on Oklahoma City on November 15, 1942, to Leo A. and Mae Belle (Brantley) Werneke. Dr. Werneke died on November 10, 2026. He attended Willard elementary, Roosevelt Jr. High and graduated in 1960 from Central High School in Oklahoma City. He received his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Oklahoma City University in 1964. He went on to earn an M.A. from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, and a Ph.D. from Queens College, Dundee University, Scotland. Dr. Werneke joined the faculty of the Philosophy Department of Oklahoma City University in 1969 as an Assistant Professor. He was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure in 1976 and Professor in 1990. Dr. Werneke served as Dean of the Petree College of Arts and Sciences from 1990 to 2000. He retired from OCU in 2013. He lived an otherwise thoroughly unremarkable life.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Rupp) Werneke; daughter, Michelann (Werneke) Ooten and husband David; Five grandchildren, Sara Ruthand, Peter Daniel Werneke, Keith Anthony, Michael David and Tia Ann Ooten; sister, Jennifer Ann (Werneke) Watson and husband Steve and daughter Sarah; stepson, Patrick McGinnis, wife Kimrey and daughter Madeline. He was cremated and a memorial service and internment will be at Resurrection Memorial Park Chapel, Oklahoma City at 1:00 pm on December 9, 2026.