Ken was our neighbor for the ten years we lived in Williamsburg. He was a wonderful neighbor.  If he wasn’t working in his  yard,  he was out running or playing golf. 

Please accept my deepest condolences. 

Eileen Colarossi 

So very sorry to hear of the passing of my very good friend Ken.  I pray that your family can endure the pain. We worked together and spent many wonderful days on the golf course. I will sorely miss him as will all of his many friends.  God bless him and your family.
Vaughn Behun and family 

If a twinkle in an eye was a person – that’s how I would describe my Uncle Kenny.  It’s been heartwarming to read all these comments and see how many lives he impacted in such profound ways.  I didn’t know him at work or on the golf course, but I’m not surprised to hear his thoughtfulness, precision, and humor shined bright in these other parts of his life.  I grew up with him as my sweet and joyful uncle, who smiled when he talked, and who at once was outrageously funny but with a subtle, wry, and always perfectly timed delivery.  As a child, I remember him as the fun uncle who identified with us on our level.  He was always up for playing games and entertaining us, not being all boring and serious like the “regular adults”.  The Winters’ summer visits to NH were the highlights of our years back then, and memories of beach trips, fiercely competitive badminton, and raucous card & Trivial Pursuit games where he lit up the table with hilarious lines whether he won or lost, remain vivid.  His sportsmanship was unmatched, whether in serious competition or playing Whist at Nana’s kitchen table with a bunch of screaming Shaheens.  As an adult, I learned to appreciate what a uniquely special and legendary person he was: a smart and savvy professional, a gifted athlete, and most importantly, a steady and loving husband, father, and absolutely epic grandfather.  Of the many treasured memories I have of him, my favorites in particular are the runs we would go on when I visited him and Aunt Cher in college and grad school.  He would slow his pace to meet mine (never letting on that he was doing so) and we would have long discussions about school, work, goals, and life in general.  He was always teaching, and managed to strike the perfect balance of being someone to be taken very seriously while also being able to make you cry-laugh in an instant.  I will miss him greatly but my memories of him are indelible.  My life has been greatly enriched having had him in it.

To  Cheryl and family,  We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Kenny. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone whose life was touched by this incredible man. May all the great memories you shared with him be eternal.   Steve and Carol George 

Ken and I worked together at NASA for over 20 years. He often came to visit me in DC and when he did, he always had something of substance to talk about, something that needed my attention. The way he presented the thought was what made Ken so trusted and special. He always had a very positive way to approach a problem and he had a ready alternative or approach to offer. The issue often involved an opportunity to better take care of our people and to help them grow. I talked with Ken a few weeks ago and I was planning to do some kayaking down his way and drop by and say hello. We had a great catchup and discussed mutual teaching opportunities.  He gave me the idea to teach after I retired. I am very sad for his family as I knew he was not finished with his life adventure. I will miss him, his joie de vie, his kindness, his friendly talks that set me straight!

Ken was an honest, considerate person.  He always brought an inspiring, positive energy to every situation.  Ken will certainly be missed but his spirit will live on.  My sincere condolences to his family.

Junior Varsity Basketball 1967-68.  Here your dad had reddish-brown hair. He and 7 others moved up to varsity the next year. 

Sara,
Although you do not know many of us, know that the words you have written to describe your father fit exactly how we remember him as a high school classmate, teammate and friend at Dover High School back in 1970. He was a great competitor, straight forward teammate and loyal friend. Years later, when  coaching Green Wave girls basketball, the team never awarded an MVP trophy. Each team's highest honor was the Outstanding Teammate Award voted on by each teammate. When it was time to vote and time to award the Outstanding Teammate it was your father that was described and remembered, the teammate that inspired the award.
Cheryl, 
Classmates have flooded the Class of 1970 inbox with rememberances of Ken and condolences for you and your family. The two of you are a perfect match. Thank goodness, that the Winter Family moved to Rollinsford, the two of you met at DHS, moved onto UNH and later married and raised a wonderful family.
With respect and love,
Your Classmates and Friends, DHS '70

This photo of Ken Winter, Cyndi Lee ,and  Darrel Tenney was taken in 2004 at my retirement party from NASA. Ken was Comptroller of NASA Langley . He was a great colleague and friend.
Dr. Darrel R. Tenney 

Ken was the father of  my best friends (Eric and Sara) and i spent a lot of time around him while i was growing up. He was a mentor of mine.  Not a mentor who got assigned to me, but a mentor who i was lucky enough to be around to see how to be a good person, husband and father. Ken was always kind, forthright, and funny!!  So funny. 

And Ken was fun to be around, too. He  was always willing to play a game of basketball with us, take us to school at cards, or take us all to dinner and the movies. And i say “us all” because that is who went, all of us. Anyone who was a friend of the family was invited and he was generous with his time and resources to those friends. I was lucky to be one of those friends. 

I haven't seen Ken much the past years, but i was always happy when i did. My condolences to Cheryl, Eric,  Sara, and the rest of the Winter family and everyone else who is going to miss Ken. I am going to miss getting to see him again and i know everyone who has ever known him is  feels the same. 

Brad

Sincere condolences to the Winter family. Kenny was a wonderful guy and great golf companion.
Jim Colell


My thoughts and prayers are with Cher, his children and his loved ones.  Coming from such a large family no doubt influenced his humble wisdom and the management style that we, his NASA family, witnessed.  I will always be grateful to Ken for helping me return to LaRC following my valuable experience in “the real world” and for allowing me to doing two things I sincerely loved:  implementing business systems and training amazing  people throughout the Agency.  RIP, Ken.

Ken was one of the best of people I worked with at NASA. Prayers for the family. 

Ken was a good friend and NASA colleague. All of my interactions with Ken at NASA were very positive and he always had a positive attitude. He was an excellent Comptroller and was very professional in carrying out his tasks. We played golf together both in the NASA Golf Association tournaments and at Williamsburg National Golf Club. I joined the Williamsburg National golf club just so I could play with Ken. He was  a pleasure to be around and he was always encouraging me even when I made a bad shot. Ken mentored my son Daniel Tenney who became NASA Comptroller after Ken retired . Ken will be missed.

I worked with Ken many years at NASA Langley. Ken was one of the most strategic, business savvy guys in government. He was sharp, funny, and a great mentor for his employees. I watched how he brought them along, giving each more responsibility and a chance to shine. When Ken disagreed he was a formidable opponent who always treated others with respect. Ken could give the best presentation on the budget, always starting with a joke, but following through with crisp clear thoughts and directions. My prayers go out to his family.

I worked for Ken's organization at LARC.  He was always good to me.  He listened to my ideas and provide excellent guidance.  I was always struck by his minimalism.  There was never anything on his desk.  He carried a single piece of paper in his pocket.  He would scribble a few notes, fold it back up, and returned it back to his pocket.  I was always amazed at that.  My condolences to the Winter family.  May his memory be eternal.

I have very fond memories of rooming with Ken at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), Stoke Hall, during our freshman year, 1970/1971.

Now thinking of Cheryl and the entire Winter family during this time of sudden and unexpected loss.

Sincerely and respectfully,

George Payette

Dover High School Class of 1970
UNH Class of 1974

OBITUARY

Kenneth John Winter

November 28, 1951 – March 8, 2023

Nelsen Williamsburg

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