BANGOR – Dr. Warren Byrne Nestler, also known as J.P., died Sept. 14, 2004, at his home in Bangor. Many will remember our Dad as a family physician and administrator at Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J. Many will remember him practicing his love for gardening at his Summit home. Born in New Rochelle, N.Y. in 1921, he graduated from the Columbia University in 1943, and went on to earn his medical degree from Cornell Medical School. Following his Residency at New York Hospital he spent two years serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Nestler, his wife, Mary Elizabeth “Bit”, and family moved to Summit in 1951 and joined Overlook Hospital. Here he studied under Dr. Evelyn Holt. He went on to become President of the Medical Staff in 1964. After retiring from active practice in 1967, Dr. Nestler went on to serve in various positions within Overlook Hospital for the next 23 years. He served as the hospital’s first Director of Medical Education, Director of Quality Assurance, and Medical Coordinator. He also spent time of the national lecture circuit educating hospitals on the emergence of DRG, (diagnostic related group programs.) During his time at Overlook he served as trustee and President of the Union County Heart Association, and served for eight years on the board of the Visiting Nurses Association. An active member of his community, he was a member of The Monday Night Club and The Beacon Hill Club. He was an active volunteer at the Great Swamp, and enjoyed hikes through its many trails. He followed New York sports teams closely since his days delivering paper to Lou Gehrig’s Westchester County home as a young boy. He held a special fondness for the New York Rangers hockey team. He later became an avid follower of the Opera and a collector of stamps from around the world. Following his retirement in 1990 he moved to Cape Cod, Mass., and served as a volunteer at the Monomoy National Seashore Refuge. His wife of 45 years, Bit, passed away in 1991. We love and remember dear “ol Dad as a hiker, bird enthusiast and a teacher and model for respect of nature and old fashioned values. His study of American History and world events has inspired all of us. The grandchildren have fond memories of storytimes with J.P. at bedtime. He later married Joan Woodcock of Bangor and became active in the local community. He became treasurer of the Frenchman’s Bay Conservancy, Co-Chair of the Fields Pond Audubon Center and led schoolchildren on The Secrets of the Forest tours. He leaves his wife of 12 years, Joan Woodcock Nestler of Bangor; her seven children; 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Dr. Nestler, a 40-year resident of Summit, was predeceased by a son, Philip in 1971. He is survived by six children, Susan Towson, MD, J. Peter, of Washington, Conn., Steven of Chatham, N.J., Mrs. Sally O’Neill of Berkeley Heights, N.J., Andy of Chatham, N.J., and Mrs. Amy Fanning of Ipswich, Mass; 16 loving grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and a sister, Mrs. Jeanne Dart of Palmyra, Va. A funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bangor. A Memorial Service will be held in the Summit area at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome in memory of Dr. Warren B. Nestler to The Overlook Hospital Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 220, Summit, N.J. 07901 or to Maine Audubon Society, Fields Pond Nature Center, 216 Fields Pond Road, Holden, ME 04429. Arrangements are by Foley Funeral Service, Bangor.
DR. WARREN B. NESTLER
