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Preston A. Wells Jr.

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Preston A. Wells Jr.
Born
Richard Wells

(1923-10-08)October 8, 1923
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedSeptember 2, 2003(2003-09-02) (aged 79)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
EducationMassachusetts Institute of Technology (BS)
Occupations
  • Businessman
  • philanthropist
Known forLargest landowner on Las Olas Boulevard; major political donor
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
  • Unknown first wife (divorced)
Marion Gretsch
​
(m. 1973)​
Children6 (including 5 stepchildren)
Parent(s)Preston A. Wells Sr.
Lillian Shedd Wells
RelativesJohn G. Shedd (great-grandfather)
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1943–1945
RankCaptain
UnitV Amphibious Corps
Battles / wars
Awards

Preston Albert "Dick" Wells Jr. (born Richard Wells; October 8, 1923 – September 2, 2003) was an American businessman, real estate developer, and philanthropist. He was the president of Las Olas Company and owner of the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At the time of his death, he was the largest landholder in Las Olas Isles.[1] In 2002, Wells became chairman of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. He was a World War II veteran.[2]

Early life and education

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Preston Albert Wells Jr. was born Richard Wells on October 8, 1923, to Preston A. Wells Sr. and Lillian Shedd, sister of John Shedd Reed and granddaughter of John G. Shedd.[3] He was raised in Winnetka, Illinois and graduated from North Shore Country Day School. Wells earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[2]

Career and military service

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While attending MIT, Wells participated in Army ROTC before cross-commissioning into the United States Marine Corps in 1943. During World War II, he fought the Empire of Japan in the Pacific theatre at the Battle of Iwo Jima.[1] After the surrender of Japan, Wells retired from service at the rank of Captain, having received the Bronze Star Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon for his actions. His cousin, 1stLt George Greeley Wells, adjutant of 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, served on the island with Wells and was a part of the first raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima.[4]

Wells gained control of The Las Olas Company in 1972. The company owned the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale and other large properties across Broward County, Florida.[1][5][6]

For most of his adult life, Wells was the primary owner of Rush Creek Ranch in Nebraska; founded by his family in 1890.[7]

Political views and contributions

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For many years, Wells donated to the Republican Party and supported conservative causes. He was a member of the board of trustees of The Heritage Foundation for nearly 30 years.[8][9] The "Preston A. Wells, Jr. Senior Research Fellow, Center for Health and Welfare Policy" and "Preston A. Wells Jr. Day" were named in his honor.[10][11]

He was a major donor during the foundation of the James Madison Institute. The institute designated "Preston A. Wells Jr. Day" in his honor and named their "Center for American Ideals" after him.[12][13]

In 2002, he was chairman of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and an annual award was designated in his honor.[14]

After significant donations, the University of Florida's Department of Neurology was named after his mother, Lillian, and the department's Center for Brain Tumor Therapy was named after him.[15][16]

Personal life

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Wells was married twice. He married his second wife Marion Gretsch in 1973. They lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida until his death.

Wells died from cancer on September 2, 2003. Upon the announcement of his death, Edwin Feulner reacted by saying: “We will miss his quiet and principled guidance in every area of Heritage’s activities.”[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Hernandez, Jaime (November 20, 2014). "Preston Wells, 80, Led Company That Helped Develop Las Olas". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved September 4, 2003.
  2. ^ a b "Preston Wells Obituary". Legacy.com (Press release). Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  3. ^ "Preston A. Wells". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Lodder, Reece (November 20, 2014). "Remembering Greeley: The Marine who carried his flag to Iwo Jima". DVIDS. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "History". thelasolascompany.com. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  6. ^ Christensen, Dan (November 23, 2009). "Money and betrayal on Las Olas Boulevard". Florida Bulldog.
  7. ^ "Customer Highlight: Rush Creek". Points West Community Bank. July 19, 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  8. ^ "2015 Annual Report" (PDF). The Heritage Foundation (Press release). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  9. ^ "2017 Annual Report" (PDF). The Heritage Foundation (Press release). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "Edmund F. Haislmaier". The Heritage Foundation (Press release). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "2016 Annual Report" (PDF). The Heritage Foundation (Press release). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  12. ^ "Sou⁠t⁠h Flor⁠i⁠da Teen En⁠t⁠repreneur W⁠i⁠ns JMI Award; JMI Announces Pres⁠t⁠on A. Wells, Jr. Cen⁠t⁠er for Amer⁠i⁠can Ideals". James Madison Institute (Press release). 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  13. ^ Wickboldt, Valerie (2013). "JMI Announces Launch of Pres⁠t⁠on A. Wells, Jr. Cen⁠t⁠er for Amer⁠i⁠can Ideals a⁠t⁠ Sou⁠t⁠h Flor⁠i⁠da Cons⁠t⁠⁠i⁠⁠t⁠u⁠t⁠⁠i⁠on Day Celebra⁠t⁠⁠i⁠on". James Madison Institute (Press release). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  14. ^ "Preston A. Wells Jr. Leadership Award". ISI. November 10, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  15. ^ "Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery". ufl.edu. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  16. ^ "Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy". ufl.edu. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
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