Richard "Dick" Winder

1927 - 2023

Caldwell - Richard H. "Dick" Winder was born September 7th, 1927, on a farm west of Vale, Oregon, the first son of Henry J. Winder and Dorothy Bridwell Winder, the 2nd of 7 children.

He attended schools in Vale, Oregon; Boulder City, Nevada; St. Anthony, Idaho; Fairfield, Montana; Powell and Cheyenne, Wyoming; West High School in Denver, Colorado; American Fork, Utah; graduating from Vale High School in 1945. After graduation he served during World War Il in the US Army. He entered service in October of 1945 and was Honorably Discharged November 9, 1946.

He enrolled at the College of Idaho in September of 1947, using the GI Bill to help pay for the cost of his education. He earned a Bachelor of Art degree in History in 1952 and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration in 1959.

While attending the College of Idaho Dick met June Robertson and they were married June 3rd, 1950. They raised four children: Charles, Kay, Robert and Debra.

After graduating from the College of Idaho he taught school in Eagle and Star Idaho, He served as Principal of Star High School from 1952 to 1955.

In September of 1955, he joined the administrative staff at the College of Idaho as the Admissions Counselor with the responsibility of recruiting students from high schools and junior colleges in northern Idaho, eastern Oregon and northern Nevada. In 1959 he was promoted to Director of Admissions. In 1963 he added the title of Director of Student Financial Aid. He also served on the President's Council

After nearly 25 years in education, he began a career in real estate specializing in commercial real estate. After nearly 20 years in in real estate, he served as Administrative Assistant to Congressman Larry Craig in Washington, D.C. He returned to Caldwell and was elected Mayor of Caldwell in 1992.

He served for four years as Mayor after which he decided not to seek a second term, He helped set the foundation for the future growth of Caldwell. While Mayor, the City expanded the sewage treatment plant, accumulating sufficient funds to pay for the City's operating expenses from October to January, without borrowing or raising taxes. He helped secure funding for the widening of Cleveland Boulevard to its current configuration, a joint project with Nampa Mayor Winston Goering and the Idaho Department of Transportation. He gives much credit to the leadership of former Governor Phil Batt for getting the project approved and funded.

Dick devoted much time and money to community and public service. He was a Jaycee, serving as vice president; he served as a member of the Caldwell Memorial Hospital's Public Relations Committee; he coached Midget League and Babe Ruth baseball; he served as chairman of the Caldwell Parks and Recreation Committee; he was chairman of the Education Governmental Affairs and Industrial Development Committees of the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board of Directors. He also served as President of Caldwell Unlimited and Expo Idaho.

He also gave much of his time to serving with his Elk brothers. He served many years as Chairman of the annual food Caravan to the Elks Rehabilitation Hospital in Boise. He later served on the Board for the Hospital in Boise. He was the founder of the Elks Bell Ringers. He was selected as the Caldwell Lodge Elk of the Year and was also selected as the State of Idaho Elk of the Year.

He also devoted much time and energy to the Salvation Army meeting the needs of the most needy in the Caldwell community.

Dick is survived by his wife, June, two children Kay and Bob, three grandchildren, Tad Bennett, Chuck Bennett and James Aiwohi and by his brother Chuck Winder. He was preceded in death by a son Chuck Winder and a daughter Debra Durbin.

Please join us for a memorial for Richard on Friday March 17th at 2PM at the Elks Lodge #1448 in Caldwell followed by an open house.

Caldwell Elks Lodge #1448

1015 N Kimball Ave

Caldwell, ID 83605