Hugo Carl Christian Wedemeyer

Hugo Wedemeyer, age 88, resident of Metairie, Louisiana, and the French Quarter, died on Wednesday, August 16, 2017. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he was the son of Carl and Violet Wedemeyer. He attended Fortier High School in New Orleans and Tulane University. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years Stella Mongeau Wedemeyer and his daughter Heidi Wedemeyer. Survivors include his four children: Carl Wedemeyer, Eric Wedemeyer, Lisa Rogers, and Kristi Hilgaertner; two daughters-in law: Susan Wedemeyer and Sachiko Wedemeyer; two sons-in-law: Chuck Sears and Matthew Hilgaertner; his sister Barbara Edmunson; and five grandchildren. Also preceding him in death was his second wife Barbara Elliott Wedemeyer, with whom he enjoyed 22 years of marriage. He shared with Barbara her four children and their spouses: Bill Elliott III, Barbara and Dale Higgins, Betsy and Henry Guepet, and Beverly Branch; ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, he embarked on a long and distinguished career in the marine insurance business, retiring from Southern Marine & Aviation Underwriters in 1989. After retirement, he enthusiastically indulged his love of art, music, philosophy, travel, and general good living. He was active in civic and arts organizations including the Historic New Orleans Collection, the New Orleans Opera, and the Mardi Gras Krewe of Sparta, where he served as Duke of the French Quarter. He was a long-time and ardent supporter of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra as donor, board member, and archivist. A loving and much-loved father, grandfather, husband, and friend of many, he will be fondly remembered for his humor, sharp mind, disdain for all things mediocre, and his relentless quest for the perfect Sazerac. A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. To view and sign the guestbook, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com