Obituary for Paul Winton Esterle
Paul Winton Esterle came into the world during a flurry of activity on VE Day as WWII was ending in Europe. As a baby, he traveled to America on a Liberty ship with his mother, and loved the water from that point on, even if it was a rough transit. The son of a 9th Infantry Division 60th Infantry Regiment L Company Staff Sargant and tire builder father with a resourceful war rationing mother, he and his siblings never wanted for anything. The family took camping vacations all across the US, frequently stopping at historic markers as pointed out by his mother. Model rocketry and marksmanship filled days in high school. He also developed a fondness for RC models from his father. Math science and computers were an area of interest early on.
Over time, he was instrumental in founding the Hoverclub of America, and started Venture Aero Marine where he designed and built hovercraft. His love of hovercraft transitioned to a love of boats and sailing as time went on. Paul was an accomplished woodworker and craftsman. He successfully completed multiple classes and held offices in the US Power Squadron. His love of pioneering technology and computers developed into a 30-year IT career that took him from Akron, Ohio, to Bristol, Tennessee and Boston, Massachusetts.
He loved to cook and had fun researching and preparing special themed holiday meals for his team at work. As an adult, model rocketry came back into his life. He built bigger rockets and went to permit based rocket launches. His love of boating led to trips to the US Sailboat show in Annapolis, and a transition from sailing a Matilda 20 to a Columbia 10.7. Soon, articles started flowing, and were published in SAIL magazine, The Nor’easter Magazine, Good Old Boat, and Small Craft Advisor among other publications.
He loved spending time working on the family boats on Holsten Lake in TN, and the North East River in MD. His passion and enthusiasm for boating grew from author, mentor, and participant in the Columbia Yacht Owner’s Association to his profession. Throughout his life, he also spent time carving half hull models related to the Great Lakes and building scale model boats related to the Chesapeake Bay. That love of all things nautical led to publication of books, and his role evolving into Editor of the Nor’Easter Magazine and becoming Technical Editor and columnist for Small Craft advisor.
Søren Kierkegaard said life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. Sigmund Freud said, one day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful. As his health faded, his passion for doing what he loved only grew. These quotes capture the essence of Paul’s spirit. He was a dreamer, and lived the life he wanted to live.
Paul passed away on April 19th. He is survived by his wife Patricia (Whitely) Esterle, daughter Becky (Robert) Esterle Ranzenbach, and son Eric Esterle; siblings Phil (Nancy) Esterle, Merrilyn Shreffler, Melissa (John) Stuart, Pete (Betsy) Esterle, Preston (Teresa) Esterle, and many nieces and nephews. Throughout his life, he resided in the Akron, Ohio, Bristol, Tennessee, and Newark Delaware areas.
For those wishing to make a donation in his honor, the family recommends the National Kidney Foundation, American Diabetes Association, or some other organization that you believe does good in this world.
Over time, he was instrumental in founding the Hoverclub of America, and started Venture Aero Marine where he designed and built hovercraft. His love of hovercraft transitioned to a love of boats and sailing as time went on. Paul was an accomplished woodworker and craftsman. He successfully completed multiple classes and held offices in the US Power Squadron. His love of pioneering technology and computers developed into a 30-year IT career that took him from Akron, Ohio, to Bristol, Tennessee and Boston, Massachusetts.
He loved to cook and had fun researching and preparing special themed holiday meals for his team at work. As an adult, model rocketry came back into his life. He built bigger rockets and went to permit based rocket launches. His love of boating led to trips to the US Sailboat show in Annapolis, and a transition from sailing a Matilda 20 to a Columbia 10.7. Soon, articles started flowing, and were published in SAIL magazine, The Nor’easter Magazine, Good Old Boat, and Small Craft Advisor among other publications.
He loved spending time working on the family boats on Holsten Lake in TN, and the North East River in MD. His passion and enthusiasm for boating grew from author, mentor, and participant in the Columbia Yacht Owner’s Association to his profession. Throughout his life, he also spent time carving half hull models related to the Great Lakes and building scale model boats related to the Chesapeake Bay. That love of all things nautical led to publication of books, and his role evolving into Editor of the Nor’Easter Magazine and becoming Technical Editor and columnist for Small Craft advisor.
Søren Kierkegaard said life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. Sigmund Freud said, one day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful. As his health faded, his passion for doing what he loved only grew. These quotes capture the essence of Paul’s spirit. He was a dreamer, and lived the life he wanted to live.
Paul passed away on April 19th. He is survived by his wife Patricia (Whitely) Esterle, daughter Becky (Robert) Esterle Ranzenbach, and son Eric Esterle; siblings Phil (Nancy) Esterle, Merrilyn Shreffler, Melissa (John) Stuart, Pete (Betsy) Esterle, Preston (Teresa) Esterle, and many nieces and nephews. Throughout his life, he resided in the Akron, Ohio, Bristol, Tennessee, and Newark Delaware areas.
For those wishing to make a donation in his honor, the family recommends the National Kidney Foundation, American Diabetes Association, or some other organization that you believe does good in this world.