Nick's memory will forever hold true to his good nature. Always smiling, generous and eager to help in any way he could.
He will be missed.
Godspeed Nick!

Dear Elke and family,
We feel honored to have known Nick. Our times together were always filled with interesting topics, led by Nick, who may be the smartest person that I have ever known. His smile and personality and zest for life would change the world if only we would all copy it!
 Until we meet again dear Nick!

So sorry to hear the news.  We were Wabash friends and hoped to get together this winter.
Ray Bentley "51"

Elke and family,

We are so sorry for the loss of your remarkable daddy Nick.  He was always so interesting to talk to and genuinely excited to see us.  He always had a smile on his face and it was contagious.  We will miss him dearly and are so sorry for your loss.  John and Elizabeth Heeren

Nick was a person that I want to be like. He always had a smile on his face. He was a loving husband with a  twinkle in his eye when he was around Elke  would talk about his golf trips with his son and enjoyed having his daughter and grandchildren visit. I introduced Nick to a young boy that helped Nick an Elke in the yard he said he loved going there just to hear Nick's stories.  nick touched so many lives and I will surely miss him

I am still in shock over the loss of my new friend.  I recently got to spend a couple of days out in the barn with Nick bringing life back to an old car .  He was very knowledgeable and had a wealth of experience that he was eager to share with me. Nick certainly possessed all of the honorable traits of the greatest generation and reminded very much of my father that I lost in 2013.  He had a great sense of humor and was full of stories.  He even sang me a jingle about old cars while we worked out in the barn.  Nick was not a shy man. Neither are you Elke -- will never forget the day you got the shirt off of my back as part of the old car deal.  What fun people. My wife and I are blessed to be able to have the memories of meeting Nick and the joy of knowing we have a friend as nice as you Elke.

Dear Elke, Nick, Sigrid, Lux, et al,

I wish I could be there as you lay your loving, optimistic, humble, funny, generous Nick to rest. His example of a life well lived will flow through you down the generations. I am privileged to have known him, and deeply grateful for his support.

Tom and I will forever remember Nick's joie de vivre, his bonhomie, his Renaissance-man knowledge of all things, and just being so darn interesting. We're glad we were able to share in my parents' long friendship with Nick and Elke, which allowed us to get to know Nick much better. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they weather the loss of his joyful personality and great love for family and friends.

Nick was always a good friend, besides being a distance friendship he was Always ready to give his advice which was a real pleasure  He was a great person, patient, kind and having a unique sense of humor. I will always be thankful for knowing him
May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared comfort the family now and in the days ahead
Elke big hug, and Best Regards for you and family!

Nick was a great friend to me when I was growing up. I remember the sailing expeditions, trips to the national muzzleloading shoots at Friendship Indiana and all the things I learned from him as well as the things he introduced me to that turned into lifelong interests. Instead of flowers we are going to purchase a memorial brick the will be used as part of a paved walkway around the Rand house the serve as headquarters for the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. The proceeds will be used for the restoration of that old home.
 Nick we will all miss you.
John and Sara Currens

Dear Elke and children,

My condolences to you and your family.  I share your loss, because Nick was an old friend. A very old friend, since we go back to our undergraduate days at Wabash. I was a German exchange student, new to this country and American college life. Nick took me under his wings and helped me settle in .
On many weekends he invited me to his home in Indianapolis, where he took me to his country club, showed me the Indy 500 race track and patiently  tried to teach  me  to play golf. He  bravely drove me all over Indianapolis in his Model A Ford. On other days with  me at the wheel, we picked  the widest and busiest avenue in the city to see how fast his Dad's 
Cadillac would accelerate from s dead stop. When I was intrigued by the promise of  an Army recruiter to make me a second Lieutenant in six weeks if I enlisted  right away, Nick preached sanity and promised bodily harm, if I did that, because the Korean War was in full swing.  At age 20 one does not think straight and Nick may very well have  saved my life. That was 66 years ago.. 
I settled  in  Pennsylvania, we stayed in touch over the years. Two years ago I visited him and Elke  in Coral  Gables.   It  was  the last time  I would see my oldest friend.. 
Farewell Nick and thanks..

Elke,  
So so sorry for your loss.  Know that we are there & will be there for/with you.  
You & your family are in our prayers & on our hearts often, as they will continue.  We love you.
We will be returning home on Nov. 1.  
Lana & Donnie James

Nick was so helpful in showing David some of the mechanics of beekeeping when he and Elke began their journey. He and Elke were so supportive when our need arouse. We will never forget Nick and will always be thankful for knowing him.
We will miss him and his sense of humor and kind ways.

Dear Elke, Sigrid and Nicky. We are very saddened and will be with you in spirit Monday. We are out of town and unable to make it back by Monday, but we remember all the good times when the children were young (sailing at Pickwick, Christmas parties, birthday parties, etc.) and in later years traveling together in Europe, good times at your farm, and getting together in Southwest Florida. Much love from us both - Carol and Richard Walker

NICK IS A GREAT FRIEND, one of the most spontaneous person we ever met,he could tell and explains about every subject or issue, right away, in rich details for every teaching.


He had a great sense of humor, you could not stand for more than few minutes in a conversation, that a joke would pop up!!
We lived great and funny moments together, either here in Brasil or in the U.S.

He loved the people all around..in his principle every one was good to him...
We never do remember Nick saying something wrong or bad about someone else.

Nick has the most pure felling of the a true friendship!!

He passed..86 years old..but his space left behind feels like more than 200!!

We all are proud to have Nick...but the sad time has come, we pray, and God Bless Elke, Nicky, Sigrid and the Grand Daughters.

A person never disappears..while he lives in our memories.
"Live can be understood backwords; but it must be lived forwards"

Dear Elke, Sigrid, Nick and family

IT REALLY HURTS!

You lost an amazing husband, dad, grandpa; we lost an outstanding man who became a very good friend in a short time. Nick was very special for us; he entered a room and his charism filled it up. Being part of your 50th wedding anniversary was great for us and we enjoyed every single moment in Wuerzburg - it will stay in our memories forever. 
Knowing Nick and having a good time with him in Cape Coral, Florida makes us proud and honored - only that the time we had to spend together was way to short. 

Elke, your not alone. 

Josiane & Manfred Hofmann

Dear Elke and family:  we are in Spain and were so sorry to hear the news about Nick.  We remember good times together when. The children were small, especially boating on the lakes and him towing our poor little broken down boat in the pouring rain at Enid.  We are so sorry for your loss and o know you will all is him dreadfully.  Best wishes from us both.     Simon and Jill

Elke, we were heart broken when we recieved the news of Nick's passing.  
there are truely no words anyone can say to console someone who has lost thier "Solemate and Best Friend".  Nick was a "Treasure Chest" of information, a "Good Friend" and will be "Greatly Missed" by all who ever had the pleasure of coming in contact with him. May He Rest In Gods Loving Hands.  
Dick & Brenda

Nick, I am so sorry to hear about "Big Nick" passing away this week. I have nothing but great memories of your father who was always very kind to me. I can remember all the times he would need a little Marine Tex or a little 5200 to finish a job that he was working on. I can say whenever I had contact with him I always went away from that meeting knowing more than I did before. He was a virtual walking encyclopedia of knowledge and information that he was willing to share without reservation or prejudice. I just wanted you and your family to know what a positive impact he had on me and will always bring a smile to my face when I think of him.

Nick was a special person- good friend, caring father and grandfather, loyal husband, generous host, enjoyed telling a good story, liked having a good time, proud and loyal son of Wabash College and the Harvard Business School,
We'll miss him, Marja & Karl

Elke, so sorry to hear of Nick's passing.  Thinking of you and your family.  Roma Macko Sailors

Dear Elke and Family,
It was such a shock to hear that our friend and Cape Coral
neighbor has passed away. We will always remember the
many occasions we had the pleasure to share with him.
Dear Elke, we were very fortunate that we saw Nick well at 
your Wedding Anniversary this July in Würzburg.
On Monday our thoughts will be with you

Monique and Dieter from Luxembourg

Elke, Nick & Sigrid:  Nick was a very special friend to me. I appreciate so much the accomplishments we had while working together.  He was the constant teacher, always explaining how to, or what was, and what could be.  My thoughts and prayers to the Longsworth Family.

Or thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Elke and the whole family at their time of great loss.

Elke, Nicky and Sigrid, I was so sad to hear of Nick's passing.  I remember great times with your family, at Pickwick especially.  Every minute spent with Nick was a happy one!  I am sending you all loving thoughts and prayers.

Elke, my heart breaks for your family. I consider you and Nick friends and it was such a joy getting to know him and you outside of the club on another level.  He was entertaining (my garden friends loved his tales) and yours as well.  I think he enjoyed those talks as much as you did.  I am for sure going to miss him. My mother used to always say, This world is not my home, I am just passing through.  I am so glad Nick crossed my path in life, it was a blessing to know him.

We will all miss Nick.  He was truly unique and knowledgable on so many levels.  He was a wonderful addition to our little car club.  Elke, our hearts are with you during this time, and in the future.  May it bring you comfort, that your husband was such a privilege to know.

I have you and your family in my heart and prayers, elke. Wish I could give you a big hug! 
Nick was brilliant, that we all knew , but we loved his entertaining stories about people and things that made them so interesting. Lots of them were shared around his and your beautiful dining room table after a fabulous feast!
Also remember the cold New Years days and evenings we shared with you . He will be sorely missed but memories will remain with us ...beautiful ones. 
May God hold you and yours in His loving arms. And stay right by your side. I can't do much for you, but I do understand the hurt of such a loss... And I can continue to pray, with love, Diane D. Evans

I am in total shock to hear about Nick's passing.  He was never sick or depressed - always happy and feisty.  Nick will be missed, but always remembered as a really good friend to all that had the priviledge of knowing him.   You have my heartfelt sympathy and know that I feel like I too have lost a good friend.

Elke & family....We have many fond memories with you over the years and couldn't have asked for a better friend than Nick.  Two great trips to Europe...one to Germany in 2002 (where we will recall her saying, "Pullover Nick....and she proceeded to ask a passerby for directions ...in German, of course....then, we were on our way.)  In 2010 we went to Ireland with them and decided the bus tour was the way to go, therefore, the men could sit back and enjoy the ride and the scenery.  Will miss him dearly, but we will always be there for you Elke and your family....Love..Paul & Nancy Fultz

For Nick..To Elke, Segrid, Nickie, Thank you for all the wonderful memories that we shall always cherish. For all the fun times at Greer's Ferry when Segrid was an infant, to Nickie learning to ski to all the cobalt blues boat problems and the ever dependable Big E, the bare boat cruise to the virgin islands with the kids, the Christmas parties, I could go on and on. We shall treasure them always. We will miss him. May our love thoughts and prayers comfort you all. Barbara, Earl and family.

Elke and Family,
We will cherish every memory of our times with you and Nick.  Nick was a one of a kind person! When Nick was around, we always learned something new and enjoyed countless stories about business, history and life!  He was truly a joy and a blessing to everyone in our family and our company. We will all miss him dearly.  God Bless you and your family. 
The Myrick Family and Specialty Adhesives Family

This is such a shock. I look next door and realize I will not see him again. His memory will live on in my heart. Thoughts and prayers for the family.

Elke and Family, Every memory, every tear, is a celebration of life well lived , to a special friend well loved . May Nick's , loving memories help to bring comfort and healing . " You  are in our thoughts and prayers".

Sandra and Robert Pauly

Hallo Elke and family,
Yesterday we come home from Germany....it was late...and I checked our mail...
Phil mailed us.....Nick is in heaven....my god...Chantal and I cant believe iT...
Nick THE big Guy, Nick THE friendly men.....he is away...
Elke and family remember THE good times with Nick...iT give you hope and a future....our thought are with you...be strong....big hug from Holland...Chantal and Pieter....we had such a good time at Your home with you both!!! Thanks...

OBITUARY

Walter Ira "Nick" Longsworth, Jr.

November 15, 1929 – October 4, 2016

Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services