Jonathan Webster Weisheit, a race car driver and sportsman, died in a Formula Race Promotions race Aug. 17 at Summit Point Raceway near Charles Town, West Virginia. The Bel Air resident was 71.
Born in Baltimore, he was the son of Bowen P. Weisheit, an attorney, and Edith Burroughs Weisheit, a department store buyer. He attended St. Paul’s School for Boys and was an honors graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
As a young man, he was an award-winning regional billiards player and a squash player.
Mr. Weisheit also had a professional practice certificate in engineering from Georgetown University.
He co-owned a business, J.K. Technologies LLC, in Hampden, where he modified and made safety certifications for luxury, imported automobiles, including classic Mercedes, Bugattis, Ferraris, McLarens and Lamborghinis.
“Jonathan was a beloved and respected member of the open-wheel racing community, known not only for his remarkable skill and competitive spirit behind the wheel but also for his humility, kindness, and unwavering passion for the sport,” a statement from the Formula Vee Project said. “In 2024, he was rightfully inducted into the Formula Vee Hall of Fame, a testament to the impact he made on the series, the paddock, and the countless drivers he inspired.”
His brother, Bowen P. Weisheit Jr., said he was a passionate formula car racer, trap shooter, waterfowl hunter and offshore fisherman.
Mr. Weisheit held a private pilot license and a Coast Guard commercial captain’s license.
In 2011 he competed in the 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race from Brescia, Italy, to Rome in a classic vehicle, a specially prepared 1956 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing 300 SL. The race was established in 1927 as an endurance contest on open roads and is limited to cars produced before 1957.
He won formula race car regional and/or national championship series trophies from 1971 to 2025 in autos he designed and built.
Mr. Weisheit competed in foreign and domestic fishing tournaments, including the International Masters Angling Tournament and the Ocean City White Marlin Open.
He was a rookie winner of the annual Ocean City Light Tackle Derby.
Mr. Weisheit earned Winter League trap shooting awards at the Prince George’s County Trap and Skeet Center, Carney Rod and Gun Club, and Macks Cedar Gun Club.
He enjoyed waterfowl game hunting along the Atlantic coast and in Canada. He wore a hunter’s call lanyard with 20 duck and three goose leg bands from a variety of species.
“He was devoted to his hunting dogs, all black Labs, and he had a succession of them. He loved those dogs and was extremely protective of them,” his brother said. “When hunting on ice, he made sure they had full flotation gear on them.”
Survivors include his domestic partner of many years, Lois L. Joyeusaz; two sons, Randall Harrington Weisheit, of Annapolis, and Austin Alexander Weisheit, of Boston; a sister, Kate P. Packard, of Tacoma, Washington; a brother, Bowen P. Weisheit Jr., of Baltimore; and two grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at All Saints Episcopal Church at 3 Chevy Chase Circle, Chevy Chase.
Have a news tip? Contact Jacques Kelly at jkelly@baltsun.com and 410-332-6570.
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