Edward L. Nestingen, a resident of Clark-Lindsey Village in Urbana, died peacefully on Sunday, February 20, 2011, at age 97. In his life, Ed was always filled with gratitude, a deep spirituality, a quick wit, and enjoyed many activities which reflected his passion for nature, personal relationships, and responsible living on the Earth.

He was born October 22, 1913, in Sparta, Wisconsin, the eldest of five brothers. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and was an enthusiastic trout fisherman and back-packer along Wisconsin streams for the rest of his life.

He and Ruth Hitchcock Russell were married in 1956. They moved to Urbana, Illinois in 1959 when Ed became a member of the U of I YMCA staff. They were members of McKinley Presbyterian Church. Ruth passed away in 2007. Ed is survived by their two children, Nancy Frost, who lives in England, and Douglas, who lives in Chicago and his four beloved grandchildren, Matthew, Lucy, Rosie and Shane Edward. A brother, Lyle, lives in Madison, Wisconsin.  He has many nieces and nephews, all of whom he cherished and deeply enjoyed. The twinkle in Ed's eyes, always present, was most vivid when he was around or talking about this wonderful family.

Mr. Nestingen received a B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1937 and became a staff member of the University of Wisconsin YMCA. In 1942, he enrolled in Union Theological Seminary in New York City. These two experiences shaped his life's work as a YMCA professional. Following graduation in 1945, he directed the work of the YMCA at City College and at NYU College of Medicine in New York City. From 1948-52, he was co-executive of the Campus Y at Washington University in St. Louis.

In 1952, he became Program Director for the College and University YMCAs nationally and Editor of The Intercollegian, a monthly magazine dealing with Christian perspectives concerning one’s life purpose and with the goals of higher education. A hallmark of Ed's tenure as Program Director at the University YMCA at the University of Illinois was his strong involvement with and impact on many undergraduate students. He was instrumental in their developing a sense of their life purpose based on strong values and social commitments. These years led to later recognition by the University YMCA of Ed's significance as mentor to these students in naming a Student Award given annually after him, in the naming of a Lounge area in the Y building after him, and in the Nestingen Symposium on "Education for Empowering the Human Spirit" begun in 1991.

His specific areas of responsibility at the University YMCA included guiding the community-wide PAL program, the founding of Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS), and the development of many “Y” Forum Programs. He came out of his first retirement to be the Director of the Fred S. Bailey Scholarship Program and was one of the founding members of the community-wide Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund. Ed Nestingen was a much-loved man whose life touched a wide variety of people.  He will be greatly missed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Illinois YMCA at 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, Illinois 61801. A memorial ceremony will be held Monday, February 28, at 2 p.m. at McKinley Presbyterian Church 809 S. Fifth Street, Champaign.

Heath and Vaughn Funeral Home, 201 N. Elm, Champaign, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be offered online at www.HeathandVaughn.com.