The National Wrestling Hall of Fame was saddened to learn of the passing of longtime Board of Governors member Wayne Renneisen. 

“On behalf of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors and staff, I want to extend our sincere sympathies to Wayne’s wife, Kay, and to his family and friends,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “Wayne was a pillar of wisdom and integrity for the Hall of Fame, and his decades of service strengthened our organization in ways that will endure for generations. A highly respected and distinguished attorney, he brought clarity and sound judgment to our governance, along with a passionate commitment to building a strong endowment to ensure our future. His legacy will continue to guide us, and we are deeply grateful for his leadership, friendship, and unwavering belief in our mission.” 

After first joining the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors in 1996, Renneisen became a Governor's Associate in 2002 before returning to the board from 2005 to 2013. After again becoming a Governor's Associate in 2014, Renneisen returned to the board in 2018. Renneisen served as Governance Chair and drafted the Hall of Fame’s current By-Laws while also serving as the Chair of Annual Gifts from 2011-13. He served on the committee that negotiated and completed the purchase of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute, which was renamed the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum. 

He wrote Penn Wrestling – A Collegiate Season, which chronicled the 2005-06 season and the long history of the University of Pennsylvania wrestling. Renneisen and his wife, Kay, sponsored the Virginia Duals, the Penn Regional Training Center and the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club. 

He received his bachelor’s degree from Williams College and his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. After three years in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, he joined a Philadelphia litigation law firm. Renneisen was the managing owner of the law firm of Harvey, Pennington, Griffith and Renneisen in Philadelphia and specialized in civil litigation. In 2004, he was selected to the inaugural group of Pennsylvania “Super” Lawyers. He retired in 2007. 

His wife, Kay, has also served as a Governor’s Associate since 2001, and the couple missed only two Honors Weekends since 1991. 

He also served on the board of The Wetlands Institute, which is involved in the education, research and conservation pertaining to tidal wetlands in southern New Jersey.