Dr. Wendel H. Gatch, 73, of Pawleys Island, formerly of Lafayette, LA, died Friday, February 23, 2018. Born November 20, 1944, in Greenville, SC, to the late John and Helen Gatch, he was married 47 years to Frances Galgano Gatch. Wendel grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Eau Claire High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1966 from the University of South Carolina and went on to complete his master's in 1968. Dr. Gatch earned his PhD from Florida State University in 1975. A professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, he was honored as Distinguished Professor in the Spring of 1991 and retired as Professor Emeritus in 2008. Throughout his career as a Professor, he authored and presented numerous publications in the field of Exercise Physiology. For 37 years, he lived in Lafayette, LA, where he taught at ULL and was a USA Swimming head coach for local and high school teams. He was also involved in the Columbia, SC and Lafayette, LA YMCA. Dr. Gatch touched many lives through teaching and coaching during his life.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Maria Helen Gatch of Jupiter, FL, Donna Noël Gatch Herndon (Robert Chad); sons, Francis "Frank" Galgano Gatch of Youngsville, LA, Marc Matthew Gatch of Youngsville, LA; grandchildren, Nicholas Chase Gatch, Morgan Marie Tyler, Landon Francis Herndon, Aubrey Noël Herndon, Nikolas Caden Graddick, Cameron Chase Gatch; sister, Helen "Mickie" Gatch Cato; sister-in-law, Regina Galgano Kolbe; two nephews and two nieces. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Madison Rose Tyler and brother, John Madison Gatch.

A graveside service will be held 11 o'clock, Tuesday, February 27th, at Greenlawn Memorial Park with the Rev. James A. Goudelock officiating. The family will greet friends following the service. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be given in memory of Dr. Wendel Gatch to Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.