William E. Nehring ’65

William E. Nehring, who spent much of his life on the sea and was nicknamed “Captain Bill,” died in September 2014.  He had lived in the Villas for the last 15 years of his life.

Mr. Nehring grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1965 with a B.S. in nautical science, a third mate’s deep sea license in the Merchant Marine and a commission in the U.S. Navy.  He worked for Mathiesen Tankers and served aboard the NASA tracking ship Coastal Sentry Quebec during the Gemini space missions.

After working for Mobil Oil as a marine rep, Mr. Nehring returned to the sea for Operation Desert Storm, when he took a position as second mate with American Maritime Officers, advancing to master and serving on ships in the Navy’s Military Sealift Command during the Iraq War as well as contributing to relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Golf was his other passion, which he indulged in his years in Rancho Murieta.

He is survived by his son, William M. Nehring; daughter-in-law, Catherine Nehring; and grandson William J. Nehring, all of Lexington, Massachusetts.  He is also survived by his brother, Capt. Curt Nehring of Escondido, his devoted companion, Carol Ponder of Rancho Murieta, and his many golfing friends.