John Henry Hesterly

John Henry Hesterly, of Aberdeen, Maryland, died at the age of 95 on October 28, 2024, at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. He was born in Prescott, Arkansas, on September 9, 1929, to the late John F. Hesterly and Thorne Allen Hesterly. He was a graduate of Prescott High School. He was the beloved husband and best friend for more than 65 years of Barbara Ann (Mazzia) Hesterly. They met in college where they graduated from Henderson State University in Arkansas in 1951, were married on June 7, 1951, embarked on an Army career which took them to Japan, Europe (The Netherlands) and many assignments in the United States. They were only apart when he was in Japan, Korea and Vietnam. In 1956, he was selected to attend the University of Illinois for graduate school for a master’s degree prior to becoming the first non-academy graduate to teach in the Department of Mechanics at the United States Military Academy at West Point. This assignment was the most wonderful and inspirational three years of their lives. In 2002, they were honored by selection as members of The Friends of West Point in recognition of their demonstrated patriotism, support of the Armed Forces and regard for West Point. Following West Point, they lived in The Netherlands for three years on a military assignment associated with NATO and developed a love of this country and its people that lasted forever. They also learned to love all of Europe and traveled there visiting all of the countries in Western Europe and others including many countries originally behind the Iron Curtain including Russia, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia. In retirement, they also traveled to Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore. They crossed the Atlantic Ocean twenty-two times in their travels and the Pacific Ocean several times, both by sea and air travel. They traveled to the Caribbean many times to different islands. Babs and John always felt that these experiences and friendships gave them a more balanced viewpoint of world affairs.

His junior high school math teacher instilled in him a good foundation in algebra and a love of math that stayed with him throughout his life. He majored in math in college and utilized it in his work and entertainment. Following his Army career, he taught math at Aberdeen high school for seventeen years and showed his students that “Math Is Fun.” He taught all levels of math and introduced calculus as a full course and encouraged students to attend and graduate from West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy and the Coast Guard Academy.

Following retirement John and Babs remained in Aberdeen, Maryland, and devoted many years to St. Patrick Church in Havre de Grace, MD, where they were Eucharistic Ministers, decorators and any task that needed to be done. They were honored as Harford County’s Most Beautiful People and in 2007 John was honored as a Henderson State University Distinguished Alumni. Education was so important to them that they have an endowed educational scholarship at their college alma mater.

Known with great affection as Uncle John, he is also survived by 11 close nephews and nieces, 19 great nephews and nieces, 13 great-great nephews and nieces, extended family, friends, so many wonderful schoolmates, college chums, Army friends and close associates in Maryland. He encouraged all children to pursue education to the maximum. He will be dearly missed by all who have ever known him as a truly special person.

A memorial service will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Havre de Grace, MD at noon, November 11, 2024. He will be interred in Calvary Cemetery in Hot Springs, Arkansas, next to his beloved wife.