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Richard Winters Obituary
Richard Keith Winters passed away at home on Wednesday March 8, 2012 surrounded by his loving family.
Dad was born on Sept. 11, 1931 to Elwood and Elizabeth Winters. He had a happy, adventure-filled childhood, graduating from East High and the University of Utah. He served an LDS mission to South Africa and served in the army during the Korean War. He married his sweetheart, Mary Janet Nebeker in the Salt Lake Temple. Seven children were blessed to come to their home.
Dick worked for Bennett's Glass & Paint in his early years. He later developed land and ran a campground on the East side of Bear Lake for 20 years. The regulars welcomed him at their nightly campfires. His songs and stories still whistle through the trees.
The fatherless, the juvenile delinquent, the addict, the inmate, etc. all had a friend in Dick Winters. Dad embraced those that many would consider untouchable. He could fix just about anything. Helping people fix their broken lives was a specialty. In later years, his mentor and hero, Lowell Bennion, asked Dad to take his place at the Utah Food Bank. When Dad entered a homeless camp he was greeted by name.
Dad had an unwavering testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and served faithfully in many callings. He was a beloved Scoutmaster and Bishop. Dick and Mary served in the Salt Lake Temple and completed a mission at the Nauvoo Temple.
Dad was colorful and a little rough around the edges. He was a character. He was a natural in full Santa regalia every December. He wasn't a fancy dresser and he never owned a flashy car. He loved his Bill Birch Bolo ties and his truck. He was a roll your sleeves up, get down in the trenches doer of the word. He was absolutely fearless. He had absolute integrity. He lived an extraordinary life.
Preceded in death by his brother, John and his son Richard.
Dick will be fondly remembered by his loving wife, Mary, and their children, Steven Winters, Katherine (Alan) Stallings, Elizabeth (Richard) Hanks, David (Angela) Winters, Sidney (Rebecca) Winters, Ann (Rees) Johnson, daughter-in-law, Janet Tate, 19 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren; Sisters Rosella Stolk, Jayne Fife, Nell Peek and Maryann Stringfellow.
Dick was laid to rest in Sage Brush Cemetery at Indian Creek Ranch, overlooking beautiful Bear Lake.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 on Thursday March 15th at the Evergreen LDS Ward at 2125 East Evergreen Avenue. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to services.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Utah Food Bank.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Winters
Julie Bryant
March 19, 2012
I feel blessed to have worked with Dick years ago at Bennett Paint & Glass. I enjoyed knowing him and Fran Peek when I was in the Decorating Department. How proud you must all be of his positive influence that will be felt for many years to come. Julie Curtis Bryant
Deb Ivie
March 16, 2012
Dearie,
Sending you much love, my friend. He was a great man. Bonsai
Vern Della-Piana
March 15, 2012
I loved Dick, he was a great friend, teacher, leader, example and it seemed like whenever you were thinking about him he showed up. I'm going to miss running into him at COSTCO and talking about - everything. All my love to Mary and the kids.
Maureen
March 14, 2012
Dear Mrs. Winters,
I am grateful for the little contact I had with your Beloved. I wished I had the pleasure of knowing him better as he always made me feel like I could listen to him for hours. He always left me smiling and chuckling. I was always in better spirits after having seen him visit with Dave. I loved the sparkle in those blue eyes filled with love. He was lucky to have your loving care all these years. May your families tears ease with time to laughter enjoying the memories of your Patriarch. He's a very special Angel now. God Bless & keep you & ALL of yours. Love you my Sweet Car-a-mel Lady xoxoxo Maureen
PS AND HE LOVED BAAAAACON!!!!! everything's better with bacon!! 8-)
Owen & Joan Smoot
March 14, 2012
To Jayne and the rest of the Winters family. We offer our condolences and our heartfelt wishes for the comfort to come to you from the Lord. I had the privelege to know Dick both in the Temple as an ordinance worker on Thursday morning as well as working with the SUP. He is a most delightful person and have missed not having him around. I am sceduled to be in the Temple tommorrow and so won't be able to come the service. I feel badly about that but you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Lynn Samsel
March 14, 2012
Dear Winters Family,
It was truly a blessing to work with Dick at the Community Services Council and in the community for many years as he continuously reached out to serve those in need. He truly was a friend to all and cared deeply about improving the support to those experiencing challenges in life. One of my favorite memories of him was certainly his playing Santa at Christmas time...or anytime during the year as he reached out to bless and comfort many.
May the Lord bless your family,
Lynn A. Samsel
Gill O. Sanders
March 14, 2012
Dear Winters family,
I read the obituary for our dear Bishop Winters with some tears of joy and such wonderful memories of this remarkable man.
He was such an example of leadership, kindness, good humor, and is the reason that so many of us were able to really get our first testimonies of the Gospel while in Bonneville Ward.
My parents adored and admired him as well as all who had the good fortune of knowing him.
Those on the other side of the veil are in for a glorious reunion! Best wishes to all of you.
Gill Sanders [son of Bus and Maurine Sanders]
March 13, 2012
Mary and Kids...I still wish my great Cousin Dick were here...singing around the campfires in Brighton, trekking the pioneer trails, and chasing up and down City Creek Canyon in the "E" street days. I loved "EL" and "El" and their loving ways with the family. However, those great traits still live on in all of you and your love of the mountains, the streams, and the lakes of Utah, as well as your loyalty to the Lord. I am proud to be one with you as family. I am so grateful that I could visit with Dick just a few weeks ago. All of our love and condolences to you...a "battle" well fought and won! Nate Winters and family.
Chris and Kristi Degn
March 13, 2012
Dear Winters Family,
What a wonderful man! We had the opportunity to know and work with Dick at CSC. He was the epitome of kindness, never speaking a harsh word. He was constantly interested in how he could make a difference, even if only to better the life of just one person. We are honored to have known him, and wish you all the best as your memories of Dick will surely bring a smile to your face for a very long time.
Kindest personal regards,
CH (MAJ) Christopher, Kristi, Victor and Matthew Degn
U.S. Army
Seoul, South Korea
Linda Trujillo
March 13, 2012
Mary, My prayers are with you and your family. I knew Dick when he hired me at Community Services Council. We always made us laugh and treated his staff with the great respect. He will be missed. God bless.
March 13, 2012
Mary,
We are saddened by your loss. What a great man! I remember him well, visiting our kids as Santa at Christmas when we lived on Princeton Ave. I know my mom, Lou Dinwoodey Jenkins (East High) thought so much of him too. I loved taking my Cub Scout Troops to help at the Utah Food Bank. He was remarkable at all the service he gave in the community.
Take care,
Love, John and Diane Baldwin
Carma White
March 13, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, I had the great privilege to know this amazing man as he spent his time at Aspen I was his driver to transport him to and from. He was so funny and full of life and I am truly grateful I got to have that time to know him. My prayers are with you. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rain fall soft upon your fields. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Annetta Mower
March 13, 2012
Dear Mary and family, I am so sorry about the passing of your husband and father. Though I didn't know Dick well as Louise did I remember him presenting his slides of Salt Lake years ago. I enjoyed his commentary. And Mary you are sweetness itself and a comfort to be around. How blessed your children were to have had such love in their home. We are thinking of you at this time and appreciate the teachings of the gospel. We are sorry not to be at the funeral. We are in the San Carlos Apache Indian reservation doing our best. Love, Annetta and Morris Mower
March 13, 2012
I've Known Brother Winters from the old Valley Bank days when I worked at their Foothill Office. I can honestly say he radiated the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He lived and patterned his life around the Savior. He will be missed. Dave, your Dad's face would always light up when he spoke of you during his weekly visits to the bank. I am sure sorry to learn of his passing. You're a good friend.
James (Jim) Pincock
Jamie Egan
March 12, 2012
He always made me smile. What a neat man. Loved the bolos.
March 12, 2012
Dear Winters family,
I was so sad to hear of the passing of your father. I will always think of him as my bishop. My husband and I have tried to pay it forward for the many kindnesses shown to us, especially when we were going through my husbands radiation treatments. Your home was opened to us for dinners and pinball whenever we wanted. Dick could touch hearts that no one else could. I remember when we were newlyweds Dick saying that we thought we were in love now, but after a few years we would know what love was. There was no question that he loved his Mary, as we all do. Our hearts ache for her loss.
When I lost my brother, his comments, were the most comforting words I received. I wish I could do the same for you. He touched many lives for good and he will truly be missed.
Janet(Smith) and Howard Thorley
Joanna Dickson & family
March 12, 2012
Dave, Ang & Winter family...
We are sad to hear of your fathers passing. What a sweet man, who did so much good for so many! An example to all. I'm sure the good he did will never be forgotten. Please know that we are thinking of you. We send our love and sympathy.
March 12, 2012
Dear Mrs. Winters and family -
I worked with Dick in my early years at Utah Food Bank and was very lucky to have that experience. He was a delightful man and a wonderful example to us all. I always looked forward to his visits after he retired and to hearing him say he was in good shape for the shape he was in. Please accept my sympathy for your loss.
Clair Farrington
Margie Madden
March 12, 2012
Dear David and family, I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I met him once and he greeted me with open arms. I wish I had the pleasure of knowing him better. Our hearts go out to you and your entire family at this difficult time. All our love, Margie and Brock
Margie Madden
March 12, 2012
Dear David and family, I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I met him once and he greeted me with open arms! What a nice man, I wish I had the pleasure of knowing him better. Our hearts go out to you and your entire family at this difficult time. Brock sends his love and will be home this evening. God Bless your dad, your family. All our love, Margie and Brock
catherine davis
March 12, 2012
Dear Winters family,
We have known you for 50 years now. You helped us grow up and taught us so much over the years. You were dear and loyal friends to our parents, Margaret and Harold and you were role models to us. We loved Dick, from river rafting adventures, to being our dear Bishop, to lifelong friend and neighbor. It is difficult to believe he is gone. We will miss him. Even though we saw him rarely in recent years, we knew he "was around." We wish you peace and send our sincere sympathy. You were lucky to have him. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us.--Cathy, Julie, and Jane Collipriest
Sue Astle
March 12, 2012
It's not hard to remember Dick as a warm, caring man. He always seemed to have such an easy manner about him. I can't help but smile when I think of happy memories of him delivering Mary's famous sweet rolls to our home, and his effortless example of kindness. I loved how he would refer to Mary as, "My Mary." Both Mary and Dick have had a meaningful and wonderful influence upon our little family. We love you!
Alice Edvalson
March 12, 2012
Dear Mary,
So sorry to see this. It was a pleasure to meet and know both of you for just a little bit inconnection with the Brighton LDS Camp. You were both wonderful people. My thoughts and prayers will be be with you in this loss.
Alice Edvalson
Dr. Robert "Bob" Jordan
March 12, 2012
Dick and Mary were part of an extended family network centered on the U's Political Science Department and Butler Avenue, that included in the early 1950s my late brother Bill and me. Those are still happy memories.
Steve Leonard
March 12, 2012
My dear dear Winters Family.
I was saddened to hear that Dick passes away but knowing that he is now free from the confines that he has been experiencing for the last several years I can only think what a joyous reunion he is now having with Richard. Having known Dick and Mary for 50 years Dick has been a guiding light for me in my life starting with the Bonniville scout. It's a sad thing to say good bye but It's been an honor of mine having known Dick and Mary and all their children on a personal basis at times.
The Lords blessing be with all.
Love: Annette and Steve Leonard
Dorotha Smart
March 12, 2012
Dear Mary,
I just read of Dick's passing and can imagine the wonderful, loving care you have given him especialy so these passed months. I have always admired the two of you and know the
Lord will give you the needed comfort. My love and prayers to you. Dorotha
Andrea Colvin
March 11, 2012
Aunt Mary,
Mike Stringfellow linked Uncle Dick's obit on facebook. I send you my love and sympathy. I have good memories of you and Uncle Dick. He was always very good to me.
Richard W Young
March 11, 2012
Dick and his whole family were part of the fabric which made Ensign Ward such an outstanding Ward in the Church. Our lives ran parallel, grade school, AU, junior high, high school, University of Utah. My, such a young age to graduate. I shall miss him at Taco Time. My blessing on Mary and the whole family.
Mac Hansen
March 11, 2012
Sunday, 3/11/2012
Dear Mary and Family,
Just saw Dick's obituary in the paper today. My sincere sympathy and best wishes to you. We are living in St.George so will not be able to attend the funeral, but want you to know we are thinking of you. Would love to visit with you sometime. Maybe this summer when we return to Salt Lake?
Much Love, Mac and Valene Hansen
Maun Alston
March 11, 2012
Dear Winters Family,
Dick was an ally and friend. I was privileged to know & work with him when he was with the Community Service Council and I was at the homeless shelter. His caring, concern, good humor, compassion and friendship are still those special things I remember about him. The community and those of us who knew him will miss him, too.
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