Leo Zoutewelle, 85, died on Thursday, March 11, 2021 in Charlotte, N.C. in the care of Presbyterian Hospital hospice. He was loved by his family. Born on December 19, 1935, in Holland, he was the son of Geesje Zoutewelle-de Groot and Leendert Zoutewelle.
Leo grew up during the trying times of occupied Holland and was the youngest of six siblings. He loved to bike the heather fields of postwar Europe and was an assistant zookeeper.
After studying forestry and surveying in the Dutch schools, Leo emigrated to the United States and met Carol Hazlewood Watson in Charlotte in 1957, whom he married on November 14, 1959. Leo and Carol were the first couple to be married by the new minister, Dr. Lee Stoffel, who led First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte for many years. Leo served as artillery Lieutenant in the North Carolina National Guard.
Leo was a surveyor with the Duke Power Company during the acquisition and development of Lake Norman. Pursuing American education as the father of a young family, he studied math at Davidson College (Class of 1966 and Dana Scholar) and earned his MBA at the University of Virginia (Darden School Class of 1968), including service on its Honor Board, Raven Society and as Class President.
He spent 11 years at NCNB National Bank (now Bank of America) as Vice President in the International Department, including leading its nascent foreign exchange trading platform during the days of interbank telephone and telex trades between this small Southern city and European financial centers.
Pursuing the American Dream of starting a small business, he founded his professional land surveying practice in 1977, and served as President of the Mecklenburg Surveyors Association and as Treasurer of the North Carolina Society of Surveyors. He retired in 2012.
Leo served as Deacon and Elder of First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. Leo was Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 3 (Myers Park Methodist Church) for 17 years. He also helped reestablish BSA Troop 16 at First Presbyterian Church. His interests include playing violin, the classical music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms, computer programming, the Society of Classical Poets, the foothills of North Carolina and corresponding with old friends and family in America and abroad (including weekly intellectual conversations with his brother Anton of Utrecht).
Leo is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Carol, and his sons and daughter, Andrew G. “Andy” Zoutewelle (Sally), J. Martin Zoutewelle (Ellen) and Hannah Z. Graham (Bob), and also by five grandchildren, Austen E. Zoutewelle of New York City, Andrew S. “Shep” Zoutewelle (Kathryn) of Durham, NC, John P. “JP” Zoutewelle of Charlotte, Cecilia Zoutewelle of Charlotte and Cole Zoutewelle of Charlotte.
A service to celebrate Leo’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 27th in the chapel of McEwen at Myers Park, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 1:30 p.m. Private interment will be in Sharon Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to send gifts, please consider the BSA Troop 139 (Matthews United Methodist Church): https://www.troop139matthews.com/
Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenMyersPark.com.
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