Walter Nestvogel

Walter E. Nestvogel passed away early on Saturday, April 23rd, at his residence at the Reserve at

Mills Farm in Apex, North Carolina at the age of 90 years-old. Walter succumbed to Alzheimer's

disease which he had for several years. He died peacefully in his sleep.

Walter was born on September 30th, 1931 in Brooklyn, New York to Max and Frieda Nestvogel,

who had immigrated from Germany in the early 1920's. As the son of immigrants growing up

during the Great Depression, Walter learned the value of hard work and the importance of

being resilient and steadfast in all his endeavors.

Walter graduated from Freeport High School in Freeport, New York in 1950 where he was an

excellent student and athlete. His success playing football and lacrosse in high school earned

him a scholarship to play football at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. While earning his

degree at Colgate, Walter was active in the Airforce ROTC and, after graduation, he served in

the Air Force for two years of active duty in Korea during the Korean war.

After returning home from service, Walter married Joan Rise Larsen, also of Freeport, NY, on

November 1st, 1958, started a family and had three children, Max, Heidi and Lars. They moved

to Somerset, New Jersey where they were active members of Somerset Presbyterian Church for

more than 30 years.

Walter had a passion for golf, fishing, and going to the beach, which was passed along in his

DNA to his children. He loved spending time with his children, helping them with school

projects, and teaching them to be good people. The family loved watching and playing all

sports, but everyone especially enjoyed golfing together. With Walter's guidance, Max, Heidi

and Lars all became excellent golfers and the family was always up for a friendly competition.

After vacationing at Cape Hatteras National Seashore one summer, Walt and Joan decided to

build their first of two beach houses in Avon, NC. That one summer soon became the annual

family vacation the family refers to as "Hatteras." Always warm and welcoming, Joan and

Walter invited many friends to share their Hatteras with them over the years, and the family

vacation grew in reputation among friends who would compare it to Woodstock and Coachella.

In Hatteras, you could always count on laughing, lots of sun and eating far too much. As the

kids grew older, Joan and Walter encouraged Max, Heidi and Lars to bring friends to Hatteras.

The beach house often overflowed with friends not only from the United States, but from other

countries as well. It was a tradition that they celebrated together for more than 45-years and a

legacy that Lars, Heidi and their daughter-in-law, Ann Nestvogel continue to this day with their

own friends and families.

Walter had seven grandchildren who adored him for his good nature, kind heart and mutual

love for ice cream. Walter always had time for each grandchild. He would often take them

fishing, for boat rides and, of course, golfing. His grandchildren and almost anyone who knew

him for the last 30 years lovingly knew him as "Ahpoo," a nickname he adopted when his first

grandchild, Debbie, could not pronounce "Opa" (German for "Grandfather").

Walter was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Joan, and his eldest son, Walter

Max Nestvogel. He is survived by his daughter, Heidi Nestvogel Kearnan, and her husband Greg

of Morrisville, NC; his son, John Lars Nestvogel, and his wife Robyn of Fort Mill, South Carolina;

and his daughter-in-law, Ann Nestvogel, of Denver, NC.

Walter is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Debbie Nestvogel Crowell and her husband

Webber Crowell of Huntersville, NC; Kevin Nestvogel of Wilmington, NC; Walter Kearnan of

Oakland, CA; Kelly Kearnan of Brevard, NC; Paige Kearnan of Arlington, Virginia; Grier Hoelzer

with her husband Drew Hoelzer of Rocky Point, NY; and Britton Gough with his wife Haley of

Rock Hill, SC.

Walter had five great grandchildren, Eliza Hoelzer, Mary Hoelzer and Luke Hoelzer of Rocky

Point, NY; Webber Crowell IV of Huntersville, NC; and James Britton Gough III of Rock Hill, SC.

Walter will be remembered for his love of sports, the sea and, most importantly, his family. He

leaves behind a legacy of wisdom, charity and humor that touched all those who knew him in

moments that will be cherished for years to come. Because of his battle with Alzheimer's

disease, Walter died with little memory of his life, but it is the memory of his life that is alive

and well, carried on by his family, friends, and all that knew him.

At Joan and Walter's request, Heidi and Lars will have a celebration of life gathering in Hatteras

on the beach in Avon, NC on Sunday, June 19th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you

donate in memory of Walter Nestvogel to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America

at www.alzfdn.org.

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