Chris Van Winkle

Chris Van Winkle Christian Van Winkle, 86, was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in August of 1929. He was the fourth child of Francesca and Garrett Van Winkle. His older siblings were Tom, Wes, and sister Carolyn along with his younger brothers Bob and Jack. All of his siblings preceded Chris in death. Chris' father was from Jersey City, New Jersey, and his mother from Germantown, Pennsylvania. The Van Winkle clan arrived in what is now New York in the late 1600's and Chris' ancestors can be traced to the town of Winkle in the Netherlands. His father served as a U.S. Marine in the First World War. His parents were married and moved to Toronto in the mid 1920's. Chris grew up in Toronto playing hockey and enjoying sledding and other winter activities. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas school and later De La Salle College and the Ontario College of Art. He always enjoyed drawing and his first instruction in painting was in oils. He married Caroline Dilworth in 1954 in Toronto. They met when Chris came to Caroline's dance studio. He wanted to learn the old soft shoe for a routine in a church theater group. After marriage, they continued dancing through life for another 61 years. Two sons, Gary and Michael, were born in Toronto. In 1959 the family moved to Covina, California, and soon more sons arrived: Christopher, Joseph and Ted. Chris established the VanArt commercial art service in Covina and continued to paint fine art in oil when he could find the time. Caroline started Chris on his road as a golfer when they were first married. She was busy working in the dance studio on Saturdays so she bought him a set of golf clubs to keep him busy in the fresh air. He developed a love for the game and a respectable handicap. He shared golf with all his sons and grandsons, and enjoyed golf trips with them to England, Scotland and Ireland. He golfed with the Santa Anita Golf Club in Southern California for many years and served on their board. The family discovered Morro Bay in the early 70's and spent summer holidays at the State Park and the Morro Bay Golf Course. Later in 2003, Chris became an active member in the Morro Bay Golf Club. Chris discovered watercolor in the 70's, studying with Robert Hallett at Citrus College in Glendora. He admired Hallett's approach to the watercolor media: learn all the basic skills and techniques and then develop your own style and interpretation. On his own webpage, Chris stated: "All art is abstract. The minute we use line, we are abstracting. Some art is more realistic, some more non-objective, but all art must be poetic." Chris retired from his commercial art business when he reached 62 and then devoted all his time to watercolor painting, instruction, conducting workshops and leading painting tours around the globe. Following in the footsteps of his mentor Hallett, he taught at Citrus College for over 30 years. He helped get many local artists started on their path towards painting watercolor. He enjoyed studying with nationally recognized watercolor artists Milford Zornes and Henry Fukuhara, both of whom had a profound influence on Chris' work. He developed a close friendship with talented watercolor artist Tom Fong, who was the watercolor instructor at Mount San Antonio College when Chris was teaching at Citrus. Over the years the two developed what is best described as the first watercolor standup comedy routine to the delight of other artists. Chris served as president of the National Watercolor Society from 2005 through 2007. During that time he undertook the task of fund raising and converting the warehouse in San Pedro into the NWS Gallery. With the help of many others the goal was achieved. The gallery stands as a testament to his leadership and perseverance. For Chris, his family, his faith, his art and his golf comprised the key elements of his life. He was active in both St. Louise parish in Covina as well as St. Timothy's in Morro Bay. He never stopped learning, exploring new ideas via lectures and PBS, attending live theater and music and enjoying a good hockey game or two. He also loved to listen to Vin Scully's broadcasts of the Dodgers throughout his life. He was actively involved and instrumental in the lives of his six grandchildren, Blake, Sarah, Bradley, Erik, Glenn and Joseph. He loved life and enjoyed meeting people from around the world as he painted and played golf in over twenty-five countries. He had a witty sense of humor and loved to tell a funny story even if he forgot the punch line. He went through life with a smile for everyone, a generous heart and a belief that there is good in every person. Chris is survived by his wife, Caroline; his sons: Gary, Mike, Chris, Joe and Ted; grandchildren: Blake, Sarah, Bradley, Erik, Glenn and Joseph, and great- grandchildren, Edwin and Rachel. A Visitation will occur on Friday, January 29, 5:00pm to 8:00pm, with a Vigil from 5:30pm to 6:00pm, at Benedict Rettey Mortuary, 1401 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay, Calif., 93442. Celebration of Life will occur on Saturday, January 30, at 2:00pm, at St. Timothy's Catholic Church, 962 Piney Way, Morro Bay, Calif., a reception will follow the mass. Graveside service will occur on Monday, February 1, at 1:00pm at Cayucos- Morro Bay Cemetery, 2451 Ocean Blvd., Cayucos, Calif., 93430. Sign his guestbook at sanluisobispo.com/obituaries