John Hoagland Warner

March 17, 1934 ~ August 25, 2026

Newburgh, NY

John Hoagland Warner, 92, of Newburgh, NY, passed away on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026, at home with his family by his side, after a short illness.

Eagle Scout, sailor, engineer, inventor, husband, father, and grandfather, John was a tireless optimist, a free thinker, and a problem-solver.

John was born to the late Frederick and Margaret Warner in Bellefonte, PA, on March 17th, 1934. His forefathers include William Warner, who settled in what is now Philadelphia in 1677, five years before William Penn's arrival. John spent his childhood exploring the woods of Centre County, PA, going on solo camping adventures with his dog, fishing in the local creeks with his schoolmates, and hunting during his teenage years. John attended Bellefonte High School, where he was a member of the wrestling team and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. In addition to his academic and outdoor pursuits, John spent many hours during his formative years in the Warner Company’s limestone mines, inspiring a lifelong interest in engineering.

In 1952, John began his college education on a Navy ROTC scholarship at the University of Idaho, where he studied Mining Engineering. Exploring the Rocky Mountains, he became an accomplished skier. His ROTC duties included a memorable 1953 Summer Cruise aboard the USS Iowa, taking him to Edinburgh, London, Oslo, and Guantanamo. Switching from the Navy to the Army, John studied Russian at the Army Language School in Monterey, CA. In 1958, John earned a degree in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University.

While stationed with the US Army in Kassel, Germany, John joined a local glider club where he met Karin Wiegleb, a fellow flight student. When the Army sent him home to the US, John and Karin began a seven-year correspondence before meeting again. It turned out to be a fortuitous encounter that led to a 61-year marriage.

John and Karin wed in New York City in 1965, moved to the Hudson Valley, and started a family. In 1969, after finding a perfect undeveloped property with views of the Hudson River, John set out to build their family home and landscape the grounds, a lifelong project that brought him great enjoyment.

John was a loving father and grandfather to his two daughters, Nita and Catherine, and five grandchildren. As a lifelong learner and avid reader, he loved sharing his knowledge with the next generation—from sailing, knot-tying, woodworking, and auto repairs to mathematics, poetry, and ornithology.

John enjoyed great success over his diverse career, with management roles at General Electric, Steinberger Sound, and several other companies in New York State. Later, he was the owner-operator of a large manufactured home community.

John was an avid sailor. After moving to the Hudson Valley, he joined Chelsea Yacht Club and served as Commodore in 1972. He became an expert sailor and always looked forward to weekend racing on the Hudson with Karin and the girls, and later, with his grandchildren, aboard his beloved Ensign, Gypsy. John and Karin also chartered boats on Long Island Sound, in the Caribbean, and in Greece.

In addition to sailing, John was a supporter of the arts, enjoying frequent concerts in the Hudson Valley and New York City with Karin, and nothing made him happier than listening to his children and grandchildren making music together. Through Habitat for Humanity, John put his carpentry skills to use and helped renovate many homes in Newburgh that continue to house local families today.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Karin Warner, his two daughters and sons-in-law, Nita Walsh and her husband, Bill, of Chatham, NJ, and Catherine von der Nahmer and her husband, Manuel, of Munich, Germany; grandchildren John, Laura, Nick, Thomas, and Lily; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his sisters Julia Warner Davies and Ethel Warner and his brother, Fred Bach Warner.

A memorial service in his honor is planned at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 120 South Street, Newburgh, NY, on Saturday, September 12th, 2026, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh are welcome. https://habitatnewburgh.org/how-to-help/donate/