Patrick Wingerter

Patrick J. Wingerter, 67, of Hammond, Louisiana passed away peacefully at home on April 12, 2014.

Pat was born May 3rd, 1946, in Jamaica (Queens) New York and was reared in West Islip, New York.  Pat served two tours of duty in the United States Army as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, was awarded numerous military honors including a Purple Heart, and attained the rank of Captain.  Pat moved to New Orleans in 1975 to become Vice President of Operations for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, where he met his future wife, Denise.  He and Denise owned and operated several True Brew Coffee locations in New Orleans.  After Katrina, Pat taught computer science and robotics at Remington College in Baton Rouge.

Pat’s favorite passion was as a volunteer diver at the Aquarium of the Americas.  As one of the original dive team members, he was on the underwater development team and held the position of dive control officer.  Pat enjoyed tending to his bamboo forest, refurbishing old cappuccino machines and was an expert on teas from all over the world.  He was an avid reader, railroad and steampunk enthusiast and Harry Potter fan.  He enjoyed studying robotics, architectural drafting and was a self-taught practitioner in more topics than can be named.  Pat had many friends, loved his pets and touched many lives.  He will be sorely missed.

Pat was predeceased by his parents John and Jeanette Wingerter and a brother, Dennis Wingerter.  He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Denise Austin (Neese), who resides in Hammond, his three children Sean Wingerter, Kim (Tommy) Aquilino, and Katie (Terry) Eberhardt and five grandchildren Sean, Jamie, Daniel, Jack and Patrick, all of New York.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.  A celebration of his life will be announced at a future date.  Interment will be at Calverton National Cemetery.