Nestor Weigand Jr., a huge force in Wichita real estate for decades, died Wednesday at the age of 84.
Weigand, whose grandfather J.P. Weigand started the company that would become J.P. Weigand & Sons in 1902, had been CEO since 1983. He added chairman of the board to his duties in 2001.
In a statement sent to the Wichita Business Journal, Weigand president Kevin Dreiling confirmed that "Nestor passed away peacefully alongside family earlier this morning."
"Nestor was loved throughout this company, all around the city he called home, and across much of the country, both for his impact on the real estate industry and for his incredible spirit and character," the statement read. "After being part of J.P. Weigand & Sons for over 60 years, his warm, inviting presence will be sorely missed around the office, as well as his calls on birthdays and other special occasions.
"Nestor was a special man who touched many. God bless him."
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued a statement after Weigand's passing:
“Before running for public office, one of the first people I sought advice from was Nestor Weigand. Often in Washington, D.C. or in my travels across the country, when I said was from Kansas, I would be asked about Nestor. He had many, many friends in many places. He was a giant in the real estate industry and made a huge difference in people’s lives. Not only was he an expert in real estate, he was also a leader in the Wichita community and understood the people of Kansas. I enjoyed many conversations with Nestor over breakfast and lunch and greatly benefited from his wisdom. He will be sorely missed in the Wichita community, and Robba and I are praying for his friends and family.”
Nestor Weigand Jr. started working at the firm in 1961. He became J.P. Weigand president in 1983, the same year his father, Nestor Weigand Sr., assumed the role of chairman.
Nestor Weigand Jr.'s career path, which saw him help grow the firm into an industry giant with its iconic logo impossible to miss throughout Wichita, included some unique turns.
He jumped into politics in 1990, running for the Republican nomination for Kansas governor against incumbent, and fellow Republican, Mike Hayden. Hayden ended up advancing and was defeated by Democratic nominee Joan Finney in the general election.