Eight Bells: Walt Nuschke

Walt Nuschke, a passionate contributor to the J/105 Class, passed away on December 20, 2013. Walt took over as J/105 Chief Measurer in 2008, and he only retired from that job in 2012 when his health took a turn for the worse. Previously he had been the Vice President, the President and on the Technical Committee for the J/105 Class. He was a tireless worker for us and saw it through many changes in the Class Rules and many Rule interpretations. He wanted the Rules to be simple as possible, but no simpler. He made the technology work for us and spiced up many a North Americans with the apps (that he commissioned) that went on all the boats. He was there when we had 75 boats (and two starting lines) at the 2007 North Americans in Annapolis. And he was a great one for affordability. He used his engineering background to engineer better solutions to problems. When we still had forestay measurements, he helped me get mine right at Block Island Race Week. Walt will be missed. He was always the “go to” guy for questions, even after he was no longer the Chief Measurer. – Nelson Weiderman

Walt’s obituary: Mr. Walter L. “Walt” Nuschke, 66, of 130 West North Street, Waynesboro, PA, died at 7:55 P.M., Friday, December 20, 2013 in Meritus Medical Center, Hagerstown, MD, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born August 16, 1947 in Clarksville, TX, he was the son of Paul and Thelma (Brumley) Nuschke of Fayetteville, PA. Walt graduated from McLean High School, McLean, VA, with the class of 1965. He later graduated from Penn State University in 1970 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. He and his wife, Judith S. “Judy” (Stinson) Bartholow have been together since December 20, 1989 and were married on October 4, 2013 in Waynesboro. Walt has been the owner and president of L.S.I. Controls, Waynesboro, since 1979. He was a member of J105 Sailing Associates in Annapolis, MD, where he was a past president. He was also a member of Joe Stickell American Legion Post #15, Waynesboro, the National Woody Club, and Delta Epsilon at Penn State. Walt was passionate about sailing and also enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, Penn State Sports, antique cars, especially his 1931 Woody, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was also a little league coach and a youth basketball coach for many years. In addition to his parents and wife, he is survived by three children, Sarah Petsky and her husband Tim of Severna Park, MD, Paul Nuschke and his wife Annie of Philadelphia, PA, and Jesse Nuschke and his wife, Tizzie of Richmond, VA; one step-son, Jason Bartholow and his wife, Kristia of Waynesboro; seven grandchildren, Chloe, Kyle, Conrad, Luka, Stella, Caroline, and Madison; one brother, David Nuschke and his wife, Melissa of Enola, PA; one sister, Paula Alford and her husband, Jim of Great Falls, VA; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 P.M., Thursday, December 26, 2013 in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The American Cancer Society, 384 Floral Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com