Walter LeRoy Nothnagel

Aged 83, Walter LeRoy “Roy” Nothnagel, resident of Minneapolis, MN since 1972 and formerly of Quincy, IL and Peoria area IL, died peacefully in his sleep after a long illness on July 6, 2024.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Walter and Oreta (Wood) Nothnagel and his beloved son Brett.

Surviving are his daughters Brenda Oliver of Colorado and Karen Stephens (Jim) of Illinois. Also surviving are 3 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Roy, born in 1941, was raised in Quincy, IL and attended Quincy Public Schools. Of the class of 1959, he was very involved in athletics and was inducted into their Quincy Blue Devil Sports Hall of Fame for exceptional local, state, regional, and national football achievements. (Quincybluedevilsportshalloffame.com/roy-nothnagel.html)

After high school, he became a business major at the University of Iowa after being recruited to play for the Hawkeyes with a football scholarship. Academically he excelled in mathematics and business. What many expected to be a future pro-football career was made impossible due to back and neck injuries he endured in a friend’s car accident.

Being remarkably resilient after his life-changing accident, Roy’s professional career became centered on information systems sales during which he won numerous National Salesman of the Year Awards. He was proud to have visited 49 of 50 States. He finished his business career serving as consultant and trainer of young sales staff. He was considered to be a skilled, devoted and fun mentor.

As hobbies, Roy loved watching football and traveling. He had a heart of gold, terrific sense of humor and was loved by many. His “old school” gentlemanly charm and bigger-than-life personality will be greatly missed.

Those wishing to honor his memory may consider making an online donation to support the Quincy Public School (QPS) football program through the website QPSFoundation.org/donate. Those preferring to a send a check may mail it to QPS Foundation at 3322 Maine Street, Quincy, IL 62301. Please note Roy’s name in the memo line.

Those wishing to leave condolence memories for family may do so online at crescenttide.com/obituary.