MSGT. Gert Wilhelm Winter, USAF(Ret.)

Dad was an only child born in Bordeaux, France to German parents Felix Winter and Alice Elizabet Weil. His father was an architect who designed ports and his mother worked as his father's secretary. They lived in France for three years, then moved to Berlin for one year because Dad's mother was Jewish. They moved to Iraq when Dad was 4 years old due to mounting antisemitism. Dad was enrolled in a boarding school in Beirut, Lebanon at the age of 7. On extended holidays he would make the trip home on a train by himself. At the age of nine he was sent to Germany to stay with his maternal Grandfather. The plan was for them to leave for Iraq, but they were stopped by the onset of World War II in 1939. During the war his grandfather died. Dad went to live with an aunt, uncle and cousins. He did not reunite with his parents until the age of 15 when his parents were sent back to Germany from an internment camp in India. His father died shortly thereafter from complications due to Diabetes.

Dad immigrated to New York, sponsored by his uncle, Kurt Weil. Uncle Kurt was an important influence in Dad's life. He allowed Dad to stay with him and his wife, Ruth while Dad had fun exploring the city and obtained employment at a button factory.

In 1952 Dad enlisted in the Air Force. On February 17, 1954, two years later, he became a naturalized citizen. While on holiday visiting his mother he met Magda Lammering. They developed a relationship and were married in 1956. They had two children, Cornelia Patricia, born in Ft. Dix, New Jersey, and William Dean, born in Biloxi, Mississippi. Dad retired from the Air Force in 1975 after twenty-three years of service, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. His specialty was in electronics. He obtained a BS from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1963. He then graduated from Hardin Simmons University with a Master's degree in education. He taught electronics at Cisco Junior College for 17 years from 1977 to 1994.

Dad achieved eternal rest peacefully at his residence at Northern Oaks at the age of 94. He is preceded in death by Magda, his wife for 66 years, and his mother, Elisabet.

He is survived by his children: Cornelia Patricia Winter-Valdez (Daniel) and William Dean Winter (Marilia Michael). Grandchildren: Daniel Dimas Valdez (Chelsea Rea), Jacob Ernest Valdez (Gabriela Gina Moncada), Patricia Elizabeth Valdez and Madeline Grace Winter. Great grandchildren: Lily Trust Valdez and Burke Eliott Winter.

Special thanks to the dedicated staff at Northern Oaks living and Rehabilitation Center, and to Hospice of Abilene for their care.