Eugene Joseph Wingerter

Eugene Joseph Wingerter passed away at the age of 87 in Wilmington, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Roberta Ann Wingerter; his son Stephen Joseph Wingerter, wife Donna and sons Dylan and Sawyer; his daughters Mary Louise Britt, husband Clay, and daughter Elizabeth; and Kristin Marie Abrials, husband Mark and children Josephine and Nathanael; and his two younger brothers, John (wife Edythe) and Robert (wife Patricia) and many nieces and nephews.

Gene was born on April 19, 1938, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Eugene and Francis Wingerter. His early years in Erie included working at his father's grocery store, Wingerter's Market, where he often joked that he was assigned the worst shifts-Saturdays and holidays. He spent time on his father's boat and could barefoot water ski despite not knowing how to swim. He especially enjoyed time at Presque Isle State Park.

He was a graduate of Cathedral Preparatory High School, Gannon College, and earned an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Detroit, followed by a Master of Engineering Administration from George Washington University. While in college, he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and served as social chairman.

Gene's professional career spanned more than 50 years and included work on advanced naval missile systems and evaluation with Vitro Labs, serving as Research Director with Booz Allen Applied Research, and a 25-year tenure with the National Solid Waste Management Association where he served as Executive Director and CEO. During this time, he was instrumental in organizing the industry to shape the legislation that created the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and founded Refuse Insurance Liability Limited, a Bermuda-based insurance company that provided liability insurance to more than 100 member companies of the Environmental Industry Association (E.I.A.). In 1982 he founded The Institute of Chemical Waste Management which became the Hazardous Waste Management Association. His international experience included designing an association in Russia for the privatization of municipal and industrial waste management services.

In 1992, he launched the Environmental Research and Education Foundation to provide non-advocacy driven research on waste issues. Following his retirement from the waste industry, he formed Wingerter & Associates, a management consulting firm that included projects with Republic Waste Services. His ventures over the past 20 years included being a minority partner with two industry colleagues in SCA Services Corporation, a waste collection company in New England; serving as an advisor to DuraProducts, a manufacturer of pallets made from recycled materials; RouteWare, a GPS software company for the waste industry; and advising private equity environmental investments at Farlie Turner & Company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He also co-founded Threat Response Technologies with William Schild, focused on intelligence data acquisition related to Homeland Security. In 2005, he was inducted into the Environmental Industry Association Hall of Fame in recognition of his many contributions.

Gene's early career nearly took him to a naval research position at a shipyard in Florence, Italy; however, his life took a far more meaningful turn after meeting Roberta Ann Mastny in 1962-the love of his life. Together, they began a lifelong adventure that included extensive international travel for work and settled in the Washington, D.C. area. They lived in Montgomery Square in Potomac, Maryland, then in Darnestown, Maryland, and later in Bethesda, Maryland, where they were members of Little Flower Parish. They spent more than 50 happy years as Washingtonians, raising their children and welcoming grandchildren who attended local schools. Along the way, they built strong friendships and were longtime members of Columbia Country Club.

Gene and Roberta eventually purchased a second home in Wilmington, North Carolina, where many cherished family memories were made. Seven years ago, they sold their Bethesda home and became full-time residents of Wilmington. They are members of Landfall Country Club, where their home is located.

Eugene was a mentor in UNCW's Cameron Executive Network and volunteered at Kenan Chapel in Landfall and was a member of Knights of Columbus. He was an avid golfer and loved spending time with family at the beach and at country clubs in both Wilmington and Maryland. He was a member of Saint Mark Catholic Church in Wilmington and walked daily with a deep relationship with Christ.

Gene loved breaking bread and conversation, and he had a special fondness for salmon-and wine. He was a thoughtful listener who respected the views of others. A humble and compassionate man, he was known for his kindness, warm smile, and eternally positive outlook. He took a genuine interest in everyone he met, regardless of their walk of life. One of his final remarks was, "Do it with love."

The world is a better place for Gene's journey. The boy from Erie left his mark.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, February 13th, at Saint Mark Catholic Church, Eastwood Road (Wilmington, NC), with a visitation from 10am followed by a funeral mass at 11am. A reception will follow at the Country Club of Landfall (Dye Course Clubhouse) from 12pm – 3pm and all are invited to greet the family there.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Eugene Wingerter to: Kenan Chapel at Landfall - https://kenanchapel.com

Good Shepherd Center (Wilmington)- https://www.goodshepherdwilmington.org Little Sisters of The Poor - tps://littlesistersofthepoorwashingtondc.org

Share memories and condolences by visiting the "Share a Memory" tab.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099