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Douglas Winton Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Douglas Winton
Melanie Rose
June 25, 2008
I just learned of Kent' passing from a colleague, and, like others who have signed this guest book, I am deeply saddened. I had the priviledge of working with Kent at IBM and was struck by his passion, enthusiasm and zest for life. There wasn't a challenge that he didn't step up to with confidence and unbelievable energy. He inspired me with every interaction. Kent was "one of a kind", he will be deeply missed.
Roy Elliott
May 12, 2008
I was a member of the Merced High Golf Team with Kent and played against him at Cal. He was truly a great golfer and gentleman. Although I have not seen him since our college days, I will always remember him
Desiree Schmitt
May 10, 2008
My condolences to Kent's Family. I had the pleasure of working with Kent at IBM during a time of chaos, pressure, and rapid change in the storage industry. Through it all, Kent was positive, comforting and unwavering... an example of true leadership. Kent's teachings are still with me today... he will be greatly missed.
Rob Ferrero
May 6, 2008
So sorry to hear of Kent's death, my condolonces to his family. We were good friends in high school and I had to move on to the tuba in the infamous Marching 100 since I couldn't beat him on the trumpet! We had little contact over the years but he was a good, fair, and smart guy back then so his successes came as no surprise when I read the obit. Adios amigo.
Roger Stallmann
May 2, 2008
I was truly saddened to hear of Kent's move to the "Church Triumphant". I have known him since the '70s when I worked with him at System Industries. I was an engineer and he was in another and different world - marketing and sales. He taught me many, many things that were valuable later in my engineering career. Things that led me to really think through projects that would come my way at ROLM and IBM in later years. I gained a respect for customer viewpoints as he brought me to face-to-face meetings with our key customers on a regular basis. After we left the world of System industries and went our separate ways, years passed and then one day as I was walking down the halls of IBM, where I was working, I heard Kent's unmistakable voice behind me -"Stallmann what the hell are you doing here?" I turned to see Kent and asked "Winton, what the hell are you doing here?" After that meeting, we spent many years, working together and developing many key winning programs for IBM. At this point my engineering interests had turned to training our marketing and sales staff and business partners (probably because of a lot of Kent's influence over the years that I knew him) and Kent was a key ingredient in many of my sessions. He always had large groups of key sales people excited about IBM products. One famous saying he often used was "If you are going to be a rabbit, be a daddy rabbit". There are many others that come to mind, and I will remember them always. Kent, I plan to see you "on the other side". My deepest sympathies to all of his family.
James Nicolaisen
May 2, 2008
Kent was a buddy, always my biggest competition for the first chair in the trumpet section. I thought of Kent often and wondered where he was and how his golf game was doing. Always watched when Kent was hitting the ball and tried to copy his swing but never go it right. I will miss ever seeing you again.
God speed my friend,
Jim Nicolaisen
George Pappas
May 2, 2008
My thoughts and prayers to the entire Winton family. Kent was a well respected man by all who knew him. His passion for life and humor will be sorely missed.
Ravi Khattar
May 2, 2008
I have very nice and intresting memories of working with Kent, even though for a few days. He was such a towering personality and had the unique ability of wrapping you and making you feel warm.
May God bless his soul and give strength to the family members to bear the loss.
David Hughson
May 1, 2008
Kent and I were good friends during our high school years. Always enjoyed his friendship. We were in the band together, he, first chair trumpet, me, first chair saxophone. He was driven as all of his friends will attest to. My love to his family, and I will miss a good friend
Bob & Judy Bailey
May 1, 2008
Our thoughts, prayers and sincere condolences go to the Winton family at this difficult time. Kent was always such a gentleman and it was a pleasure and honor to have known him.
Loel Lund
May 1, 2008
Kent was an outstanding person as a youth when we attended school together in Merced, California. It was a pleasure to spend those years with him as he accomplished so many goals.
Roger Wofford
May 1, 2008
Kent was the quintessential salesman and a very helpful teacher. I learned more from him in one day than I've learned from most other people in a year. He always made me feel like I was the most important thing on his mind. There will only ever be one Kent.
Mary Burnside
May 1, 2008
My sympathy to Kent's loved ones. I worked with Kent in the late 1970's at System Industries. Through the years Kent has remained the consumate salesman in my memory. Perhaps it was because he was the first VP of Sales I had ever dealt with or perhaps it was that he truly was the consumate salesman. I remember a halloween when the entire sales team dressed as superman. Supermen being led by a superman. Seems appropriate. Rest in peace Kent.
Pat Bryson Watson
May 1, 2008
A childhood friend that will be remembered forever for the happy ever smiling person. Tall and thin and broke many a classmates hearts, including mine. We lose track of some but never in our hearts. love you Kent.
Chris Pyle
May 1, 2008
Kent filled the room when he walked in. He was full of life. A consumate salesmen, he always asked about my wife and children, he even knew their names and ages.
He was not only a friend but a mentor. A true friend to the channel of business partners. He always had a great story to tell and I always felt better after meeting him. His golf game was awesome.
I am very blessed to have known him. My deepest regards goes out to his family, and all of those that loved him.
Cheers Kent
Steve Legg
May 1, 2008
I have fond memories of working with Kent over many years; I'll miss his enthusiasm and his keen mind. My condolences go to his family.
Jens Tiedemann
May 1, 2008
So very sad to learn, that Kent has passed away. Kent was a great - larger than life - friend, mentor and colleague. One of those special people that made working at IBM such a great experience. I shall truly miss him!
Mark Mazon
April 30, 2008
Kent was a great man, a great friend, and a great mentor. I was lucky enough to work for him, learn from him, travel with him, and golf with him. I am a better person for having known him. He will be missed.
Albert & Paula Jandura
April 30, 2008
Death leaves a heartache
no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory
no one can steal.
Kent will be missed, and
his legacy will live on.
Not only his golfing legacy,
but the legacy of
his smile, his laugh,
That which was Kent.
.
Dean Griffler
April 30, 2008
Like for so many of us, I was deeply saddened, shocked and, since the moment I heard, transformed by the news that Kent had passed away; I have not had a death hit me so hard for a very long while. And since the moment I read an email entitled, "Kent Winton," I have not been able to stop thinking about Kent and the extraordinary influence he had on my life.
Kent simply was larger than life for me, and for so many of us. We were young, energetic, impressionable, and Kent filled us with wisdom about the business world, about how to sell, and in many ways, what life was all about. If ever there was a man who lived the "work hard, play hard" ethic, it was Kent!
As the news spread, there came from a group of us who worked for Kent some 25+ years ago, a spontaneous outpouring of love and the need to share stories. I laughed, I got choked up, and, I felt his presence. Few in this world could have touched so many of us so deeply, that in an instant, we came together and became one again, as if those 25 years we have been apart never occurred.
Your husband and father was one of the truly wonderful characters of life; the kind that enriches it and makes it fun to be alive. I will always have a special place in my heart for Kent. I will never forget him and will always be very grateful for having him be part of my life.
Maria Cianciotta
April 30, 2008
I met Ken many years ago in Boca Raton, Florida. He had the energy and the spirit of a man half his age. His attitude was contagious. Rest in peace, Ken.
Maria Cianciotta
April 30, 2008
I met Ken many years ago in Boca Raton, Florida. He had the energy and spirit of a man half his age. His energy was contagious. Rest in peace Ken.
Steve Licata
April 30, 2008
Kent was truly an amazing person. His energy was enough to power the city of New York for a full year. His mind was always going at a thousand miles an hour and thinking about the next great thing in Storage where he was truly at the "fore" front. I used to love instant messaging with him at "ibm winton" and getting Kent's view of the world.
Rich Anderson
April 30, 2008
Kent was a fantastic guy and energetic in front of any audience. I especially remember him for helping our friend Julie Lee, when she needed to find a place to call home in IBM and Kent made a place for her immediately. May they both rest in peace and know that we have wonderful memories.
Peter & Justine Coleman
April 30, 2008
We were shocked and saddened when we heard of the passing of Kent Winton. He was a vibrant, vivacious and charismastic human being that brought a smile to everyone! He will forever be remembered and our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy and his family. Best wishes to all of you.
Nancy Coon
April 30, 2008
Kent taught me so much. He was among the sharpest business minds I knew at IBM. His recall of names and faces was remarkable. He gave an energetic presentation on any topic, making an indelible impression on his audiences. He will be missed.
Melissa Amerson
April 30, 2008
. . Kent's sharp business acumen made it interesting to work with him . ..but it was his wit that made him fun to work with. My thoughts and prayers to the Winton family
Denise Buonaiuto
April 30, 2008
I am still in a state of shock as I imagine you Nancy are as well. I loved Kent like a brother, he was such a good friend to me at IBM and a terrific mentor. He was so intstrumental in our success in the storage business with our business partners and I can honestly say I don't think the IBM hierarchy truly appreciated his contributions to their success. I will miss him terribly.
Denise Buonaiuto
Joy Ogawa
April 30, 2008
I had the privilege of working for Kent at IBM during a period where IBM was undergoing tremendous change. He was the perfect passionate, insightful and energetic leader that we needed to change our world. While he enjoyed setting sales targets for our Business Partners he loved it when they beat their targets! I remember when my Business Partner and I thought $10M was a stretch target and after Kent met with the Business Partner firm’s president, they agreed that surely $20M was a reasonable number for that year. Our Business Partner did achieve more than $20M and the rest is history. I learned so much from Kent and his encouragement and confidence in me gave me the chance to achieve more than I imagined. I will miss my dear friend. My heart goes out to the Winton family. May you find comfort in your fond memories of the times you spent together.
Marc Franz
April 30, 2008
To the Winton Familiy, I have had the honor of working for and with Kent since 1981 Kent was my first boss at Systems Industry he was a great mentor and friend.as the years passed we stayed in contact and last year I was able to get Carter hired at my company in an outside sales position , Kent and I smiled about how I can now take the skills I learned from Kent and help his ( boy). To tell you a little about how Kent cared for other people and put them first I called Kent about a Month ago to see how he was feeling the first words out of his mouth was hows my kid doing? is he learning is he selling is he getting the job done? I told Kent Carter is doing great dont worry I didnt call to talk about Carter I called to see how YOU ARE DOING. He said dont worry about me Marc Im doing fine I will be back out playing at least 9 holes next week. Kent was and will always be a true inspiration to me . If I can half the impact on other peoples lifes like Kent has had on mine I would be a truly blessed man!
Kent I will miss you but I know we will be together again and I will always love you !
God Bless you and your Family
Cheers Marc Franz
Andy Slater
April 30, 2008
My thoughts are with all his family at this time, Kent was a great mentor and friend in the short time I knew him and he will be greatly missed
Tormey Ward
April 30, 2008
Very sorry to hear of Kent's death. I really enjoyed working with Kent and Nancy and taking care of their banking needs. Sorry I cannot be at the memorial service as we are living in Arizona. My best to Nancy.
Ken Palattao
April 30, 2008
To the Winton family, my sincere condolences from all of the Palattao's in Minnesota. We were all saddened to hear of Kent's passing. It was always fun when he visited in Minnesota. May your many happy memories help get you through these difficult days. You are all in our thoughts & prayers.
The Palattao's
Kathy
Ken & Julie
Gus & Claudia
Greg & Angie
Eileen & Harold
John Hartman
April 30, 2008
I once travelled with Kent to Hong Kong & Beijing to enable future IBM business partners. By the end of the evening Kent would have every partner sitting on the edge of their chairs and willing to sell any storage product IBM had to offer. He was a master with the english language and a true salesman in every sense. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Bob Hankins
April 29, 2008
Kent was a GREAT friend to anyone who had the pleasure of working with him over the years. I enjoyed his friendship whether we were in the office or on the golf course. I will truly miss him.
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