R. Edward Nestlerode, Sr. – Obituary
Ed was born April 12, 1928 in Lock Haven, the oldest of two children to the late James Russell and Rose Eleanor (Bills) Nestlerode. He married the former Lillian I. Luchetta on February 2, 1949 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Renovo.
He was preceded in death on July 22, 1990 by his loving wife, Lillian I. Luchetta; as well as a sister Mary in 1936. He was also preceded by his companion Myrtle Stover in 2007.
Surviving are his two sons, Joseph R. (Kelly Smith) Nestlerode, Sr. and R. Edward (Gail) Nestlerode, Jr. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Joseph R. (Maggie) Nestlerode, Jr., Jason Nestlerode and his fiancé Jamie Song, Casey (Angela) Nestlerode, Jocelyn (Steve) Hill and R. Eddie Nestlerode, III and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Betty (Luchetta) Tomalonis and his special friend Terry Hevner.
Born and raised in Lock Haven, Ed was a 1945 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School and graduated from The University of Notre Dame in 1949, with a Bachelor of Science degree in both Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering.
Ed dedicated his professional life to bridge construction, holding the position of President of Nestlerode Contracting Company since its incorporation in 1958 until his death. During his career, he supervised construction of many bridges in Pennsylvania from the County Commissioner’s Bridge in Leidy Township, his first, to others in Clinton County including the Hyner Bridge, Veterans’ Memorial Bridge (Jay Street), the Castanea Bridge and the island bridges toward Woolrich. He also built bridges in Mackeyville and Mill Hall. He was a long time active member of the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors (APC), proudly serving as District Two Vice President from 1986 to 1991.
He partnered with his sons to build Sunset Rinks, a roller skating rink located in Shamokin Dam, owning it from 1980 to 1995.
A lifelong resident of Clinton County, Ed played an active role in the community. He was one of the founding members and served as chairman of the Clinton County Solid Waste Authority; director for the Clinton County Redevelopment Authority; board member of Commonwealth Bank; and founding member and Chairman of the board of Renovo Rail, Corp.
He was a marching member of The Black Knights drum and bugle corp.; a lifetime member of the Elks in Lock Haven; a member of Hand in Hand Hose Company; founding member of the Ambulance Association of Cross Fork, PA. and served on the board of The Parents’ Association of Norwich University holding the position of president from 1972-1975. Ed was also a member of Clinton Country Club and enjoyed golfing.
From 1955-1959 he raced Class D Hydroplane boats, winning his first race July 16, 1956 and went on to represent Pennsylvania in the number two position naming his boat “Lil Two”.
Ed was an avid outdoorsman and owned a camp in Cross Fork, Potter County, where he enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting and fishing, later in life taking trips to Mexico to sport fish with friends. In the mid 1990s he sold his family home in Lock Haven and moved to Tamarack where he could hunt, fish in his pond, do woodworking and care for his orchard.
A memorial service will be held at Great Island Presbyterian Church, 12 W. Water Street, Lock Haven, on February 28th at 11 A.M. Officiating will be Pastor Benjamin Lins. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
Following immediately after the service will be a celebration of life reception at the Dutch Haven, 201 E. Bald Eagle Street for family and friends.
The family asks in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Lock Haven Catholic School Library, 311 W. Water Street, Lock Haven.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Donald G. Walker Funeral Home, Inc., 231 High Street, Flemington.
Online thoughts and memories can be sent to HYPERLINK “http://www.” www.donaldwalkerfuneralhome.com
