Obituary of Richard Niles Winner

Richard “Dick” Niles Winner, 92, passed away peacefully July 28, 2021 at Suncoast Hospice Care Center Mid-Pinellas.  He was born in Lockport, NY to the late Niles McKinley Winner and Florence Lillian Winner.  He is survived by his wife, Sarah L. Winner; children Richard “Rick” Winner (Brenda), Susan Winner, Walter Winner (Koreena), Sibyl Murray (John); grandchildren Afton Winner, MacKenzie Whitaker (Jake), Colin Winner, Ash Murray; brother James “Jim” Winner (Imna); niece Martha Winner; and nephew Nicko Winner.  

Dick was an avid reader and developed a love of electronics, aircraft, and trains.  As a teenager, he was the first person on his street to have a television set after building it himself.  Soon he and a friend started their own business of repairing TVs in New York and New Jersey.  Dick was drafted into the Army in 1951 and served until he was honorably discharged in 1953.  The same year, he married Sarah Friesema and they were together for 68 years.  Dick earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronic Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1958.  After graduating, he and Sarah moved to southern California.  Dick worked as an Electronics Engineer for North American Aviation, then Hughes Aircraft where he retired in 1988 after 25 years.  His most notable accomplishments were developing the first night vision goggles and the liquid crystal display (LCD) for the Army, which he once held a patent for.  After retiring, Dick and Sarah enjoyed the snowbird life between Mission Viejo, California and Bend, Oregon.  Eventually, they moved to Bend where they enjoyed playing golf and spending time with their grandchildren.  In 2017, they moved to a retirement community in Seminole, Florida.  In his earlier years, Dick enjoyed reading, gardening, skiing, working on his Porsche 914, and home improvement projects.  He often used his skills to help others, including installing an irrigation system at their church and in their daughter’s first home.  Dick could fix anything!  In his last few years, he loved feeding the ducks, watching the birds, and painting with watercolor.  Services are being determined, but will likely include a service in Seminole, FL for local friends and family, and a service in Bend, OR for family at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Suncoast Hospice (suncoasthospice.org), The American Heart Association (heart.org), or The American Cancer Society (cancer.org).