Alan Nestlinger
September 3, 1937 - December 15, 2020
Our virtual memorial ...
A Celebration of Al's Life
Athlete, traveler, photographer, skydiver, scuba diver
Throughout his life, Al loved world travel and took cruises on the major European rivers, as well as through the Panama Canal and to Alaska. He was an avid photographer, skydiver and scuba diver, venturing on several diving expeditions with his wife, also with daughter Catherine and her family. For the past half decade, he was deeply involved in cultivating a garden designed to help monarch butterflies survive and thrive. Al was a member of the U.S. Parachute Assn. and MENSA. In his charitable work, he was a longtime supporter of Western Service Workers Assn., donating both time and resources.
On March 18, 2021, the ASCE Orange County Branch awarded Alan a Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual meeting, which took place virtually on Zoom and was attended by around 170 members and guests.
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Engineer, educator
Alan's career spanned three decades as a civil engineer with the County of Orange, followed by fifteen years as a math instructor for California State University Fullerton.
He was born in Chicago, attended Lane Tech High School and the University of Illinois Chicago at Navy Pier, where he was named UIC Athlete of the Year in 1958 for Cross Country, Swimming and Track. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany at the time of the building of the Berlin Wall. After military service he settled in Santa Ana with his first wife, Marianne. He continued his education at West Coast University’s School of Engineering and earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics. He went on to earn a Master of Public Administration at California State University, Fullerton.
As a professional engineer, Al worked for the Public Facilities & Resources Department, County of Orange, as Senior Civil Engineer and County Hydrologist. Al was a Past President of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Orange County Branch, 1995-1996. He received the Outstanding Engineer Merit Award in 1987 for his contribution to the Orange County Hydrology Manual, described in the citation as “considered one of the most significant publications in the hydrology field of Orange County, the State and the Nation.”
After retirement in 1999, he established the consulting firm Orange County Hydrology, specializing in flood damage litigation. He also began a second career as a lecturer in mathematics at CSUF, where he received the Faculty Member of the Year Award (2005) by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He gave his support to the CSUF student chapter of ASCE and received the Distinguished Engineering Educator (Los Angeles Section) for his work in 2003-2004. He was also recognized for his contribution to Students with Disabilities and Allies. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Allene, his daughter Catherine Nestlinger Goldberg, grandchildren Brian and Sarah, son-in-law David Goldberg, and his half-sister Lee Jay Kafka.
As a professional engineer, Al worked for the Public Facilities & Resources Department, County of Orange, as Senior Civil Engineer and County Hydrologist. Al was a Past President of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Orange County Branch, 1995-1996. He received the Outstanding Engineer Merit Award in 1987 for his contribution to the Orange County Hydrology Manual, described in the citation as “considered one of the most significant publications in the hydrology field of Orange County, the State and the Nation.”
After retirement in 1999, he established the consulting firm Orange County Hydrology, specializing in flood damage litigation. He also began a second career as a lecturer in mathematics at CSUF, where he received the Faculty Member of the Year Award (2005) by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He gave his support to the CSUF student chapter of ASCE and received the Distinguished Engineering Educator (Los Angeles Section) for his work in 2003-2004. He was also recognized for his contribution to Students with Disabilities and Allies. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Allene, his daughter Catherine Nestlinger Goldberg, grandchildren Brian and Sarah, son-in-law David Goldberg, and his half-sister Lee Jay Kafka.
A few snapshots from an eight-plus decade life. Please see other pages too.
Daughter Cathy's wedding
Zipline at Catalina Island
At West Coast University (B.S. Applied Physics),
Skydiver! He made 480 jumps
Alan and Allene in Hawaii with grandchildren Sarah and Brian
A runner who later became a lap swimmer
Relaxing after a dive in Cabo
Last cruise, to Baja with Allene