Kent Weigel; Co-Owner of Ventura Bookstore

Kent Weigel, longtime co-owner of the Ventura Bookstore, died Sunday after a brief battle with liver cancer. He was 52.

Born in Kolby, Kan., in 1946, Weigel was raised in Monument, Kan. He later studied mathematics at Fort Hays State University in Kansas, where he earned a bachelor’s of science degree and a master’s.

Weigel came to California to teach high school at a men’s medium-security prison in Tehachapi. While there, he wrote math and poetry textbooks for the inmates.

“He thought there was a great chance for learning through poetry because even an inmate who had no formal education could use poetry as a mode of expression,” said Ed Elrod, who was Weigel’s domestic partner for 23 years.

In 1973, Weigel moved to Ventura. He worked at the Ventura Bookstore and was also a substitute teacher in the Ventura Unified School District. He was later hired as a math teacher at Buena High School.

Weigel and Elrod purchased the Ventura Bookstore in 1978. For the next 20 years, they ran the bookstore and supported literacy programs throughout the county.

“In business, he was tenacious and driven to the point that he seldom took a vacation,” Elrod said.

At home, Weigel will be remembered as generous and easygoing. He was also an animal lover, caring for six dogs, three cats and two parrots.

Weigel loved to cook and would often throw dinner parties. He was sure to make a dish to accommodate everyone--vegetarians, vegans, senior citizens and youngsters.

“He always put himself absolutely last and always saw to it that his guests and friends’ needs were over-satisfied,” Elrod said.

Heart trouble in 1983 caused Weigel to undergo a quadruple bypass. He left teaching a year later and focused on the bookstore.

In addition to Elrod, Weigel is survived by his sisters, Tammy Staab of Kearney, Neb., and Linda Flipse of Phillipsburg, Kan., and brother Lee Weigel of Indianapolis.

A memorial service will be held at Ventura City Hall at 2 p.m. March 13.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Kent Weigel Math Scholarship Fund be sent to 522 E. Main St., Ventura 93001.