Curtis "Curt" Alan Wingerter

SANDUSKY — Curtis "Curt" Alan Wingerter, 79, residing in Sandusky, transitioned to the next phase of his journey on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Sandusky. Born Jan. 14, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to Charles "Jack" and Ruth (Dace) Wingerter, Curt lived an adventurous life. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs of Downers Grove. He was an avid swimmer, diver and wrestler all through high school. After graduating from Downers Grove Community High School, Curt went to MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he continued in wrestling and joined the Naval reserves and the MacMurray Players, the college theater. At MacMurray, he met Carol (Mindock) Fox and they married in 1965. Curt's Navy career took them to the East Coast — Virginia, Washington, D.C., Georgia and Rhode Island. He enrolled in the Officer Candidate Training program and was a certified deep sea diver and first lieutenant. A Vietnam veteran, Curt traveled the world aboard several ships including The USS Cadmus and USS Opportune. After leaving the Navy, Curt and Carol, with their daughter, Grechen, returned to the Midwest, relocating to Rockford, Illinois. In 1977, Curt moved to Calhan, Colorado, where he and his second wife, Debra raised, bred and trained Arabian horses. In 1983, they moved to Kelso, Tennessee, where Curt eventually opened his first restaurant, The Country Kitchen, in Fayetteville, Tennessee. Curt moved once again to Guntersville, Alabama in 1989, where he lived for 25 years and was an active member of the arts community as an accomplished artist and volunteer with the Mountain Valley Arts Council as well a local restaurateur, running Cafe Caribe', a Cuban restaurant and art gallery. In 2013, Curt moved to Sandusky, where he fast became a local treasure in the downtown community. He was often seen rolling around town in his power chair, frequenting Boom Town Coffee, OH Taco, the Frozen Tiki, Small City Taphouse, the Sandusky Library and the Jazz@8 series at the State Theatre. His warm smile, dazzling charm and fierce love for his family and friends will be missed by all. Be at peace now, Wyndwalker. He is survived by his daughter, Grechen Wingerter (Peter Aylward); granddaughters, Megan and Chelsea Aylward all of Knoxville, Tennessee; stepdaughters, Nikki McCann of Guntersville, Alabama and Heather McCann of Albertville, Alabama; and numerous step-grandchildren. Curt is predeceased by his parents, Charles "Jack" and Ruth (Dace) Wingerter. A private memorial will occur in Guntersville in the new year. If you wish to honor Curt, consider a donation to the National Ataxia Foundation. Toft Funeral Home & Crematory, 2001 Columbus Ave., Sandusky is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting toftfuneralhome.com.