Grandfather, 40 year Cal Poly Pomona biology professor, traveler

Lenard R. Troncale, 81, of Claremont, died peacefully on April 24 surrounded by his family.

He was born May 14, 1943 in Chicago, and raised in Southern California from a young age. He was in the first graduating class of Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, class of 1961. He then earned a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona and then pursued his Ph.D. in cell biology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., earning his degree in 1970.

“Len” to his family and friends, and Dr. Troncale (Dr. T) to everyone else, taught at Cal Poly Pomona for four decades and served as department chair before retiring in 2009. As Professor Emeritus of Cellular and Molecular Biology, he taught for another 10 years at the university. He was known for pioneering systems science, bringing together biologists and engineers to tackle complex biological problems. He served as the president of the International Society for the Systems Sciences in 1990. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, traveling and spending time with family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Julie and August Troncale, and is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Denise Troncale; siblings Patricia Rice and August Troncale Jr.; his four sons and their families, Scott and Frances, Glenn and Norma, Michael and Karen, and Matthew; and grandchildren Danielle, Amanda, Sofia, Kian, Natalie, and Caroline.

Funeral services will commence at noon Monday, May 12 at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 435 Berkeley Ave., Claremont, CA 91711. The services will conclude at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 21300 Via Verde St., Covina, CA 91724. A celebration of life, hosted by his family, will follow directly, between 3 and 6 p.m., at Kellogg West on the Cal Poly Pomona Campus.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made in his name to the Cal Poly Pomona Biological Sciences Department at https://tinyurl.com/47zsabuy.

“Len was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather,” his family shared. “He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”