* Werner Weile; Longtime Local Photographer
Werner Weile, who over four decades photographed dignitaries such as Ronald Reagan and scores of local brides, died Wednesday at age 86.
“He had his own style,” daughter Nancy Garrett said. “I could look at a wall of pictures and select which ones he took.”
In particular, she said, Weile tried to duplicate the lighting found in Renaissance paintings in his portraits.
Weile was born in Germany on Aug. 5, 1912, and immigrated to the United States in 1935. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After being discharged, Weile moved to Ventura and opened his studio with his wife in 1944.
Weile was a member of the Ventura Downtown Lions Club for more than 30 years and participated in the Lions’ Living Christmas Tree Project, which added pine trees to the parks and streets of Ventura.
In addition to Garrett, Weile is survived by his wife, Ilse, daughter Hilde Brown of Port Hueneme and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the rose garden at the Pierpont Inn. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends plant a flower or tree in Weile’s memory.
Donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Ventura or to Temple Beth Torah.
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