Arnold Lingertat

Arnold Lingertat was a loving husband and devoted father who died January 25, 2021 at the age of 86. He will be remembered for his skillful storytelling, sincere interest in people and their stories, a love of boating and being on the water, and a passion for nature and learning. Arnie greeted everyone with a big smile, welcomed them, and openly shared his life with them. Together with Erika, his wife and companion of over 60 years, the pair were consummate hosts, known for their hospitality entertaining people from far and wide. He was always the last person at the party, talking long into the night.

Arnold was born on April 15, 1934 in Vilkaviškis, Lithuania, to Albert and Martha Lingertat. He grew up in Vokiškeliai, Lithuania until the events of World War II forced his relocation to Germany. In 1956, Arnold, along with his father, came to the United States as refugees. In 1957, he was drafted into the United States Army and stationed in Würzburg, Germany, where he met his future wife, Erika. They married in 1961.

Arnold attended night school to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology while working full time for Johnson & Johnson. He also started a family of his own, raising two daughters and a son. Arnold enjoyed spending weekends on Silver Lake in Wisconsin with his extended German-American family and friends from Chicago.

In 1982, Arnold was relocated to New Hope, Pennsylvania with Johnson & Johnson. He had an accomplished career in engineering and management that spanned 35 years. Arnold rose to become the Director of Engineering for Johnson & Johnson Consumer Franchises Worldwide before retiring in 2000.

Arnold discovered the Jersey Shore where he enjoyed boating and fishing. After retirement, he became dedicated to building his shore home in Brigantine, New Jersey. It became the focal point of an ever-expanding family now including 4 grandchildren. In 2005, Erika and Arnold moved to Naples, Florida, splitting their time between New Jersey and Florida for the next 15 years.

Arnold was proud of his family and spent the later years of his life steeped in ancestral research. In his memoir, “Dipukai, Out of War: A Survivor’s Tale,” he recounted the remarkable childhood events that shaped the rest of his life.

Arnold is survived by his wife Erika; his children, Claudia, Cornelia and Michael; his daughter-in-law, Jessica; and his grandchildren, Ryan, Darren, Benjamin and Mia. Arnold truly made the most out of what life had given him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

No memorial service is planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in memory of

Arnold Lingertat. Donations can be made online at www.conservancy.org/donate/ or mailed to 1495 Smith Preserve Way, Naples, FL 34102.