Robert Winne

Robert F. Winne

Rhinebeck - Robert F. Winne, 89, a longtime Rhinebeck resident, passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2013 at his home in Rhinebeck.

Born on March 8, 1924, in Cherry Valley, NY, he was the son of the late Lewis F. and Margaret (Hawley) Winne. Robert married Luella Ann Barker and she predeceased him on April 23, 1997.

Bob served in the US Army Air Corps and the US Air Force Reserves. He entered service in 1942 through the FDR Elks Activation Unit in Dutchess County. He completed single engine aircraft training in the Southeast Training Command Class of 44-C at Marianna, FL.

After P-40 Warhawk and P-51 Mustang transitional combat fighter aircraft training, Bob was transferred to the China-Burma-India Theatre of Operations and assigned to the 14th Air Force, 51st Fighter Group,16th Fighter Squadron - whose lineage was that of the famed Flying Tigers.

He flew new P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft from airbases in India to airbases in China, crossing over the Himalayan Mountains. The extreme weather conditions and low chance of surviving a crash made the mission extremely dangerous. Such flights were known to aviators as "Crossing the hump"- Lt. Winne did it twice. He flew six wartime missions to South China and French Indo- China. Bob also contracted Malaria three times.

Late in the war, his squadron was assigned the mission of fighter coverage for General MacArthur's September 1st, 1945 planned invasion of the Japanese occupied South China Coast. The war ended in August of 1945 and he was discharged in December of 1945. He continued to service in the US Air Force Reserves and attained the rank of Captain. Over his long military service, Bob earned his Aviator Wings, the Asia-Pacific Campaign Medal, the China Liberation Medal, and the WW II Victory Medal.

Bob was also a renowned Rhinebeck Attorney, having his own practice from 1950 to 2008- which he ran with his secretary of 43 years; Marilyn Gay Holden. During his career he also service as the Assistant District Attorney of Dutchess County for 12 years, he was the Town of Milan's Attorney for 40 years and the Village of Rhinebeck's Attorney for 50 years.

Bob was an active member of Montgomery Post 429 American Legion in Rhinebeck,

Rhinebeck Post #9255 VFW, the China-Burma-India Veterans Association, and the Dutchess County Bar Association. He also was a founding member of the Landsmankill Stocking Club in Rhinebeck.

He is survived by his children; Linda (Guy) Foss of Franklin, MA, Susan (Douglas) Myer of Mt. Marion, NY, Luella Jane (Kent DeVries) Winne of Rhinebeck, NY, Robert L. (Joan) Winne of Rhinebeck, NY, his brother Richard Winne of Lenten, KY, his grandchildren, Whitney Grandmaison, Heather Myer, Lisa Ryan, and Daniel Winne, his great grandchildren, Kayleigh & Caiden Myer, Patrick & Paige Ryan , and his nephews; Rick Winne of Rhinebeck, and Philip Winne of Canada. Bob is also survived by his great nieces & a great nephew, extended family, colleagues and friends.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his brother; Hawley Winne, and his sister; Lillian Guilfoil.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 8th, 2013 at Reformed Church of Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck, NY. The Pastor Luis R. Perez will officiate. Interment will follow at Rhinebeck Cemetery, Rhinebeck.

Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes on Saturday, July 6th, 2013 from 4-8 PM. Member of the Montgomery Post 429 American Legion of Rhinebeck will conduct services at 7 pm.

Memorial donations may be made in Bob's memory to the Rhinebeck Post #9255 VFW, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Arrangements are under the direction of Burnett & White Funeral Homes 91 E. Market St., Rhinebeck, NY.

For directions, or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.Burnett-White.com.