George Alfred Winkler

Known to friends and family as Geo, Dad, Daddy Doozer, Doo, the Dood, Granddad, Dadoo, and Great Granddad, he took his final breath surrounded by his wife of more than 64 years, all of his children, two of his grandchildren, one of their spouses, and one of his great grandchildren. Numerous grandchildren and friends made a point to visit him or call him in his final days. This tremendous outpouring of love is a testament to who he was.

George was born on August 8, 1937, in Waukegan, Illinois, the second son of Everett Chester Winkler and Dorothy Dinah (Feeney) Winkler. When he was in sixth grade, his family moved to Waukesha, WI, where he met his future wife, Sally Lynn Williams. He and Sally were married on December 27, 1958, and had four children, Wendy, Robin, Cindy, and Lewis.

George graduated from Waukesha High in 1955. He attended University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of New Mexico, where he also received a master’s degree in chemical engineering in 1966.

From 1961-1967, he worked on a secret government project developing nuclear rockets for manned missions to Mars at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) in New Mexico. Later in life, he enjoyed people’s reactions when they learned that he had been an actual rocket scientist. In 1967, he traded rocket science to become an early computer geek, taking a job as a systems analyst for Corn Products Company (later CPC International), where he worked until his retirement in 2000.

George loved computers and predicted their usefulness before most people even knew what they were. He also loved nuclear physics, outer space, and modern technology. He learned to text and use Skype in his late 70s so he could communicate better with his children and grandchildren. During the Covid pandemic, he learned how to use Zoom to stay connected to his family and to keep his condo association together (he was the president for 15 years).

He was also a proud Green Bay Packers owner and an avid Chicago Cubs fan—sometimes too avid. He’d grow increasingly grumpy each summer as the Cubs repeatedly did … what the Cubs did. At one point, he told his family that they would not get a color TV until the Cubs won the Pennant. Luckily, being a lover of new technology, he gave in long before that glorious day in 2016 when all became right with the world! Ironically, having watched most of the final game (on his color TV), he turned it off and went to bed, unable to bear it when it looked like the Cubs might lose again. But he was awakened in the night by phone calls from all of his children demanding new color TVs all around (which none of us got—he was also wisely frugal!).

George enjoyed playing golf, tennis, softball, and basketball. He also loved card games with his family, especially Euchre and Oh Heck! (aka “Oh Hell!” but he didn’t allow us to swear). He even wrote a computer program that printed out detailed Oh Heck! scoring grids.

A man of many talents, he was famous for his Ita Mouetur Mundus newsletters, full of interesting facts, wisdom, and humor. He was even more famous for his chocolate chip cookies, perfectly made with love and an engineer’s precision. College students, starving actors, resale shop workers, neighbors, church volunteers, and countless others were blessed over the years to receive his cookies, usually at just the right time.

George adored his wife and kids and doted on his grandchildren and great grandchildren every chance he got. He also cared for others, often doing small (and sometimes large) things for people without any acknowledgement. A man of few words (except when he was talking about nuclear rockets or computers), he had an infectious laugh and a smile that could light up a room. He accepted people for who they were, and although he wished that at least one of his children or grandchildren would become a chemical engineer, he encouraged all of them to pursue what they were most passionate about.

Above all else, he loved the Lord. He was very involved in his church and especially enjoyed singing in the choir. When asked about his faith, he sometimes told the story of how, during a period of doubt, he’d heard a voice say, “It’s all true.” And from that time on, he knew that it was.

Doo, there is no way to say how much we love you and miss you! We know you are in the arms of Jesus.

George is survived by his wife, Sally (Williams); four children, Wendy (Rob) Blake, Robin (Lee) Fanshaw, Cindy Sawyer, and Lewis (Barbara); ten grandchildren, Bret, Kevin, Bethany, Mitchell, Jessica, Joshua, Christine, Duncan, Ethan, and Gillian; four great-grandchildren, Zion, Parker, Rosie, and Charlotte; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, James and William Winkler.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on August 12, 2023, at Western Springs Baptist Church, 4475 Wolf Rd, Western Springs, IL 60558.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts or donations may be made to Western Springs Baptist Church, 4475 Wolf Rd, Western Springs, IL 60558 or Fox Valley Christian Action, 35W624 Riverwoods Lane, St. Charles, IL 60174.