Hired in October 1966 to oversee the creation of a four-year University of Wisconsin campus in Green Bay, Dr. Weidner was the institution's first employee and driving force. He would serve 20 years as chancellor, which ranks among the longest tenures in UW System history. He remained active with UW-Green Bay in the years since. He took particular interest, and leading roles, in continuing development of the Cofrin Arboretum, scholarship assistance for students, Phoenix Athletics, and development of the campus/community performing arts center that was later named in his honor.

In May of 1989 he was recognized with the title of "chancellor emeritus" by the UW System Board of Regents. On the occasion of that honor, the citation honoring Dr. Weidner quoted the essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, "An institution is the lengthened shadow of one man," and officials noted that those words were never more true than when applied to Edward W. Weidner and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Ed Weidner is survived by his wife, Marge, his children Nancy, Karen and Bill, their spouses, and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean, and oldest son, Gary.