Charles L. Winterwood

Charles L. Winterwood, MD, died November 15, 2025, at Mercy Hospital, Dubuque, after a many years-long battle with complications from a lung disease.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Burial was held in Casper Creek Natural Cemetery in Galena, IL.
He is survived by his spouse, Gretel, their two children, Zach (Emily) and Nicole, and their two grandchildren, Talia and Elena.
Charles was born to Franklin M. Muench, Sr. and Flo Maree Muench. A brother, F. Michael Muench is deceased.
Charles was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Winterwood practiced as a pediatrician at Medical Associates in Dubuque, Iowa.
A passionate environmentalist, he served on several city commissions that dealt with climate action, clean water, and air quality.
He was active in the Mississippi Trails Hiking Club and Friends of Dubuque County Conservation. He was noted as one of the most capable people in the area at identifying bird sounds. He made contributions to the bird lists maintained by the Iowa Ornithological Union Collection at Iowa State University. He led birding tours at the Mines of Spain. Dick Worm, a friend of Charlie's, remembers a canoe trip through the brush at Catfish Creek, where Charlie amazed him by recognizing one bird sound after another. Charlie participated in the annual bird count in Dubuque in the winter, no matter what the weather.
He was a life member and held offices in the Audubon Society and Sierra Club. He was a commissioner for the City of Dubuque, serving on committees such as the Renewable Energy Committee. He was a long-time member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, where he led projects such as the Unitarian Universalist Green Sustainability Project, which met the requirements for the national certificate. He volunteered to review low-income homes for weatherization needs.
In addition to birding, his hobbies included photography, coin collecting, hiking and spelunking. He was also an avid movie goer. He loved trivia contests where he was often considered a one-person team with his knowledge. One lament that he did not make it all the way through the trials to be a contestant on the Jeopardy TV quiz program.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to Sierra Club or Audubon Society.