Wesley Te Winkle

Wesley Te Winkle (11/13/1930) passed away on August 6 after a short illness – a life full of more laughter than tears. Wisconsin summers spent on his grandparents’ dairy farm or as a lifeguard at a Milwaukee swimming pool. He also accompanied his father to the local pool hall, gaining a liking for Gene Krupa. His university graduation plans were interrupted by the Korean War. While completing training at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, TX he met our mother, Virginia (6/23/1934-2/26/2013), and their life together began. He was stationed at Tachikawa Airfield, Japan where their first daughter was born. Upon returning to the US their family continued to grow while he became a full-time commercial pilot and remained in the AF Reserves. He sometimes talked about the missions he flew in Korea and Vietnam, one of the most important being Operation Glory – repatriating the remains of fallen soldiers from Korea. After retiring from flying, his career continued as an aviation consultant, working first for the FAA, then in Jamaica, Nigeria, China, Korea, Poland, Bulgaria, before serving for 15 years with the Road Hogs in RMNP.

It is impossible to list his many journeys, shared with his wife, children, friends. He enjoyed revisiting stories of the vacation he took with his older children to Japan and Hawaii – swimming together in the wide ocean. Perhaps his favorite trip was with our mother, to visit friends in Melbourne. They had quite an adventure in the Outback – getting picked up in Alice Springs by a Qantas flight diverted just for them after the air taxi had mechanical problems – the looks on the passengers’ faces! He loved fish; especially those he caught in the Atlantic, Pacific, in rivers and lakes in Alaska and Colorado. He took up skiing in his 50s. Golf was a constant summer pastime, completing his last round at the EP 18-Hole in 2022. He disliked hiking but picnicked along scenic routes countless times. He took his youngest children alpine fishing in the San Juans – surprising the group by breaking out in Cole Porter’s ‘Don’t Fence Me In’ as our horses navigated narrow trails above timberline. Indoors, he was an avid newspaper reader, also delving into biographies and histories which spanned the length and breadth of human culture. His most recent read was The Year 1000 by Valerie Hansen.

Wes was genuinely interested in other people’s experiences and admired the diversity of human interactions. Being broad-minded, he respected the worlds individuals were born into and the worlds they create for themselves. After moving to EP in 2005 he began new friendships through the Road Hogs, EP Internationale Aviation Club, EP Astronomical Society, Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, and more. He supported the public library, Post 119, and numerous other non-profits.

His droll sense of humor and generally positive can-do attitude remained with him always. 500 words are too few to encapsulate the nuances of 93 years, so we leave you with his words: ‘I’ve had a tremendous life!’ Hear, Hear!!

A memorial service followed by a reception will be held at Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies at 11:30 on Saturday 24 August 2024.