David Lee Wells

Dr. David Lee Wells, 80, of Fargo, N.D., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, with his wife Sarah by his side after a battle with lung cancer.


Dr. Wells was born at home in McKeesport, Pa., on October 21, 1936, to Otis Henry Wells and Ottilie Hilda Wells. He grew up with older brother Don and younger sister Diana in Pennsylvania and California. After graduating from Oakland Technical High School, Dr. Wells went on to study at Stanford University, where he received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering.


Dr. Wells served in the Air Force in research and development at Wright Patterson Air Force Base before leaving to start several small businesses in Dayton, Ohio. He held manufacturing engineering and management positions in energy, aerospace, consulting, commercial sheet metal and automotive industries for 26 years.


Eventually, Dr. Wells discovered his love of teaching. He has taught at many colleges and universities throughout the country. Dr. Wells married his wife Sarah on September 1, 1990, at Berea College Math Department Chapel in Berea, Ky. In 1994, Dr. Wells received his Ph.D. in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri-Rolla.


Dr. Wells was a professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering at North Dakota State University since January 2000. He promoted interdisciplinary undergraduate research at NDSU and spearheaded NDSU’s involvement with Clinton Global Initiative’s University Innovation Fellows.


Dr. Wells will be remembered as a devoted father to his daughters Tammie and Rachel.
He has also been an inspiration to not only his students, but young people throughout the community who needed someone to believe in them. Dr. Wells was an advocate for Fargo and its entrepreneurial community.


Dr. Wells is survived by his wife Sarah Wells of Fargo, daughter Tammie (Scott) Flood of Oregonia, Ohio, daughter Rachel Wells (Ari Anderson) of Seattle, Wash., brother Donald (Audrey) Wells of Port Williams, Nova Scotia, Canada, sister Diana (Terry) Tusher of Honolulu, Hawaii, and a legacy of students and young people whose lives he changed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Ottilie Wells.