David E. Wanger Jr., 89, of Highland Park died Thursday at home. A businessman who launched successful endeavors in women’s apparel, computer leasing, and the leasing of offshore oil-drilling equipment, Mr. Wanger was “a student of the world,” said his son, David Wanger III. He started the Wanger Stores chain for women’s apparel in 1933; one store still operates in Wisconsin. He later launched the Dearborn Computer/Storm Marine Drilling Corp., which leased computers to major corporations and drilling equipment to offshore ventures in the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Wanger was an avid traveler and loved golf and gardening. He met his wife of 67 years, Elinor, when they were teenagers in Winnetka. Besides his wife and son, survivors include a daughter, Linda Klein Gardner; four grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Congregation Am Shalom, 840 Vernon Ave., Glencoe.
