BRISTOL — Friends of Bristol resident Wendell Lauth said if you asked him a question about history, he would either know the answer or have the answer to you in a short time.

Lauth, a noted historian and lifelong educator, died last week at age 94.

Bristol Trustee Doug Seemann said Lauth dedicated his life to preserving the history of the township and Trumbull County, as well as honoring local veterans.

“He always made sure the veterans at the cemeteries were remembered. He would speak on Memorial Day at programs at the township cemeteries and honor our veterans,” Seemann said.

He said Lauth kept records of the township’s history and its people and was always updating information.

Seemann said Lauth was active with many local historical societies and would make sure flags were placed on the graves of veterans at township cemeteries.

“He always had information to share about the township and the many people who lived here. He had information on the many veterans and the founders of the township,” Seemann said.

Lauth himself was a veteran, having served two years in the Army.

Seemann said he remembers when he was a boy, his grandfather would take him to visit Lauth, who lived off state Route 45.

“Wendell was amazing. He has a wealth of knowledge on so many subjects,” Seemann said.

He said Bristol Township fire Chief Steve Craiger the other day shared stories of how his family also knew Lauth.

Seemann said his mother worked in Bristol schools when Lauth was superintendent there in the 1960s. Lauth was later superintendent for the Girard City School District in the 1970s.

Cindee Mines, who also is active with local historical societies, said Lauth was often the speaker at different programs.

“He always knew the answer to your questions. You could rely on him to have the answer or he would find the answer for you and then give you the information,” Mines said.

She said Lauth would present slide show presentations on a variety of topics.

“He would make his presentation and then he would ask if anyone else had information they would like to share or comments they wanted to make. Wendell was always open to hear what other people had to say on something he was speaking about,” Mines said.

Mines, who grew up in Atlanta, Ga., said she remembers Lauth was taking a bus trip to Atlanta to explore the Civil War there, particularly the Battle of Atlanta.

“He shared information on Atlanta that I did not even know about. He was very interested in the Civil War,” she said.

Mines said Lauth will be remembered for his “wealth of knowledge” and for “being a good person.”

She said she would often see Lauth at different places.

“He always asked me where I was off to because he knew I enjoyed history and learning more just as he did,” Mines said.

Charles Ohlin, director of education and historical research for the Nation Packard Museum in Warren, said Lauth and Terry Martin were the two who did research on the Packard family and Lauth was active with the museum.

“He was very instrumental in researching that information and helping to preserve what we have on the Packard family. Wendell was very dedicated to the museum and preserving the Packard legacy, which is important to our vision,” Ohlin said.

Lauth was a founding trustee of the National Packard Museum and later served as its president.

Ohlin said Lauth would speak at different programs on the Packard family and what they contributed to the community,

“He was very instrumental in doing many things to benefit the museum,” Ohlin said.

Many who knew Lauth remember the cemetery walks he hosted, including those sponsored by the McKinley Memorial Library in Niles, where he spoke about past residents who lost their lives in pivotal wars, ensuring their sacrifices were remembered.

He was also president of the Bristol Historical Society, hosting their popular bus tours to dozens of national historic sites.

Calling hours will be 4 to 6 p.m. today at Lane Funeral Home, Roberts-Clark Chapel in Warren.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Trumbull County Historical Society, 328 Mahoning Ave. NW., Warren, OH 44483, or to the Bristol Historical Society, P.O. Box 254, Bristolville, OH 44402.