Walter Christian Nehls

Walter Christian Nehls departed this life on March 9, 2026, at the age of 83. Born July 24, 1942, to Christian Nehls and Virginia (Lentz) Nehls in Watertown, Wisconsin, he grew up on a dairy farm and learned the value of hard work early. His family moved to Maryland in the 1950s where they continued in the dairy business for a number of years.

He had very fond memories of his high school days, graduating from Walkersville High School in 1960. Many of the friendships he made in those days have continued on into the present. He often said that Coach William Talley taught him so many valuable lessons, not only how to be a better basketball player but also how to be a better person. It made such an impression on him in high school that he carried those lessons with him for the rest of his life.

He was very proud to serve his country in the 1960s as a captain in the Air Force, serving in Texas, Greece and Libya. After leaving the military he had many and varied career experiences from cab driver to brick layer to insurance salesman before starting his own landscape business which he had until his retirement in the early 2000s.

He and his wife, Cheryl, loved to travel and saw much of the US and Europe in their 40 years together. They met so many wonderful people on their travels and had some amazing experiences along the way. His favorite cities were Prague and Budapest although he’d happily go anywhere Cheryl made plans for.

He leaves behind his devoted wife, Cheryl, sister Sharon Unger, sister Sandra Linton and husband Ron, brother Richard Nehls and wife Natasha, niece Lisa Desorcy and husband Richard, nephew Troy Linton and wife Cathy, nephew Derek Nehls and wife Anastasia, niece Erika Nehls, niece Brogan Calloway and husband Asa, brother-in-law Tom Eggers and wife Debbie, sister-in-law Mary Waters, brother-in-law Joe Eggers and wife Kelly, sister-in-law Erika Cornicelli and husband Bruce, as well as several great-nieces and -nephews. What he loved most of all was gathering with family for good conversation and games.

He was a kind and gentle man and will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

A gathering of family and friends will be held in his memory on April 17 from 3:00 to 5:00 at Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., 1621 Opossumtown Pike in Frederick.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.