OBITUARY
Clarence Windom "Win" Wenger Jr., Ph.D.
April 27, 1938 – January 7, 2021
Win Wenger has passed away at his home in Gaithersburg, MD. Thursday January 7, 2021 at the age of 82. Formerly of Harrisonburg, VA., Win graduated from the University of Virginia with a Masters in Education and a Bachelors in Economics. He received a PhD in Education from the University of Sarasota. Win taught Economics, History, and Psychology at Kirkland Hall College and Ocean City College. At Cambridge College’s (Mass.) National Institute for Teaching Excellence, he taught Educational Methods and Accelerative Learning. He also was an adjunct professor at Goddard College, VT. He said that the most satisfying experience in his life was overhearing his students discussing what they had talked about in his classes as he walked around the campus.
He has dedicated his life to sharing his knowledge of creative teaching, accelerated learning, and problem solving techniques. He is the author of over 55 published books, some published in multiple languages. He has taught in universities and at workshops in numerous countries spanning 5 continents around the world. A respected member and consultant highly involved with multiple worldwide creative communities including Mensa, Intertel, Mindcamp, Creative Problem Solving Institute, South African Creativity Conference, and many more.
He had a passion for classical music, composing his own music, and he developed a unique impromptu style of composing at the piano. He had a compassionate soul, an honest love for humanity, and he was a great listener who could always find the best quality in every person he met. He referred to his teaching technique as “Teaching by Listening.” He was a genuine humble genius.
He resided in Gaithersburg, Maryland with his wife of 53 years. He is survived by his wife Susan Wenger, his two daughters Erika Mayo and Whimsy Johnson, three grandchildren Randy Mayo, Daniel Johnson, and Sydney Johnson, his nephew Clifford Taylor, and his niece Sarah Parsons.
He was preceded in death by his father Clarence Windom Wenger, Sr., his mother Elizabeth Gentry Hill Wenger, and his sister Diane Taylor.
“His curiosity inspired creativity; his humanity inspired us all”
Please feel free to share your most memorable experiences with Win Wenger, or describe a way that he has influenced you.
* “What you describe, you become more aware of” ~Win Wenger
* “You are brighter than you think” ~Win Wenger
* “The answer to nearly every question in nearly every field: Articulate your subtler perceptions in a feedback-rich context” ~Win Wenger
Memories
Clarence Windom "Win" Wenger Jr., Ph.D.
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYpaolo sbuttoni
January 15, 2021
Dear Win
in your brand new house now you will be surrounded by your insipiring thoughts, incredible visions, amazing ideas and, once more, come out with new questions. We met at CPSI in the nineties, and mine were the first steps in the field of the “real creativity”. I will never forget the way you sat there, looked at us, and shared your unforgettable visions. Thanks to you I discovered that there is so much more in us than what we can even think. Maybe you will meet Einstein and his factor. Please take care of your beautiful mind.
Whimsy Johnson
January 14, 2021
Here's a slideshow of Win Wenger's family life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKhzefbE8T0
>
Volker Knöringer
January 14, 2021
Dear family and friends of Win,
yesterday evening I was contemplating how Image Streaming would relate to something I had just read. Then I "heard" Win say: "You perceive more and better if you focus on the inner world, because this is where the sensory input of ALL senses is present at the same time. Focus on one sense and you lose all the others."
So I focused on what my inner world related to me about the noises I was hearing in the background and described that to myself (in thought). Suddenly I got the impulse to check emails on my phone. Doing this I realized I had just gotten an email from Pete Bisonette of Learning Strategies where he related the sad news of Win's passing and a short tribute.
After reading the details on the page here, I was very sad until I realized that Win himself had just given me an incredible gift. The master had me realize the truth and depth of his wisdom by giving me this experience as a farewell gift.
Win, I'm very glad you became my friend through your books, courses and website. And, indeed, it is not a farewell, for you will stay with me as a mentor and torch of sanity and of what it means to be human... and ohh... the potential.
Volker Knöringer, Germany
Robett Solomon
January 14, 2021
Win was a rare exceptional unique human being. I treasured our long hours of in-person conversation - from our first meeting at Cambridge College Accelerated Learning to my life changing awareness at a 1990 & later 1992 CPSI wonderous weeks + 2 Mensa meetings later which contributed to my discovery of MultiDimensional Thinking & recent development of Viteracy & DynaGram which frees humanity from the shackles of linear literacy & Visual Thinking Blinders. Win will always be present in my mind as a dear kindred spirit. Much condolences to his soul mate & enabler Susan Wenger.
Dr. Robert D. Solomon, PhD, MIT
rdsolomon@alum.mit.edu
Dimis Michaelides
January 14, 2021
Dear Win,
You have been a teacher unlike any other. Behind your gentle personality and fine penmanship I found profound wisdom and true inspiration.
Thank you and may Susan and your loved ones stay strong.
Dimis
Seth Weine
January 14, 2021
Win's work will be discovered more widely---and the world needs (more than ever!) positive and innovative ways of solving our problems. His great contributions will live and be ever more appreciated!
Manou Schreiner
January 14, 2021
Dear Mrs Wenger and family of Mr Wenger,
I am saddened by the message I just received of the passing away of Mr Win Wenger, your dear husband, father, grandfather, and great teacher, as he certainly was to everyone who put his teachings into practice. I have only very recently discovered Mr Wenger’s work (about a month ago) and it has already profoundly enriched, and indeed changed, my life. Especially his technique of “borrowed genius” has allowed me to overcome blocks in my music-making that I hadn’t been able to solve even with the use of a host of other techniques. He will be dearly missed for everything he offered the world.
With heartfelt condolances,
Manou Schreiner
Alison Bramall
January 14, 2021
He was talking at the first conference I went to as a young Experiential Development trainer. Organised by SEAL - the society for effective affective learing, it opened my eyes to ways of working I'd not dreamed of. Win introduced NLP strategies in the form of a string of incomprehensible shorthand. However, I fell in love with NLP and trained with Ian MacDermot for years and subsequently Art Guiser, the creator of Energetic NLP.
Stein Hval
January 14, 2021
Thank you for influencing us in your own subtle yet impressing way.
Stein Hval, Norway
Rosslyn Miller-hardy
January 13, 2021
My condolences to his loved ones at this time. He inspired me to look behind the looking glass when my visionary skills needed honing and not aligned! Only a short time the invite from his lesson was available? He lives on from his skills of visionary intuit from above as a GUIDE now!
Rosslyn
Ruth Mickelopoulos
January 13, 2021
Thank you, Win Wenger for your work on genius code! Your memory will live on forever in your work!
Dan Bagley
January 13, 2021
Knowing Win for oh-so many years at CPSI was such a treat.
Discussing new ideas with him was like trying to drink from a firehose. The ideas and insights would flow faster than I could easily absorb them. I often turned to him to get a new perspective on an old perception. I grieve now realizing this creative genius and friend is no longer adding to our world.
Marilyn Fiedler
January 13, 2021
Dear Susan and family, Thank you for being Win's partner and working together with him so powerfully. I remember the building happiness sessions you offered at the Creative Problem Solving Institute a few years ago. They were astonishingly effective. Your collaboration with Win gave a climate of joy and workability for Win to operate from. In celebrating Win's genius and remarkable ways he got that across being usable, functional, and operative in people's lives including my own your magnitude of love gave voice and depth to letting love win. Thank you to all Win's family for your vast contribution to Win's life and happiness. Yours in celebration and love for Win and his love for all of you, Marilyn Moe Fiedler and on behalf of all whose lives Win impacted and will continue through his work to inspire
Sjra Puts
January 12, 2021
I have been able to attend workshops of professor Wenger several times. It always felt like going to a party. A feast of creativity that you experienced like a dry sponge, ready to be absorbed with his knowledge, wisdom and experience. I will never forget his empathy. A person for whom sharing was at the top of his dictionary. Rest in peace Professor Wenger
Sjra Puts, Netherlands
Mahmoud Arafa
January 11, 2021
We’ve love lost one of the greatest pillars of the our creativity community. A man who was extremely generous in sharing knowledge, insight and resources. No matter how much we learned from him, we just couldn’t get enough. Rest In Peace Win
Patrick Garinger
January 11, 2021
Some people touch you and thus change your life forever. When CPSI first came to Chicago, I met Win in one of those late night courses - Image Streaming prospered in my mind and thinking !
Here are some thoughts that remind me of Win: Keep learning - enjoy challenge - tolerate ambiguity - listen - in the end there are no certain answers.
Ubuntu, Patrick Garinger
Jack Wolf
January 11, 2021
Win was one of my first teachers at CPSI over 30 years ago. He taught me a lot about reflective facilitation and many more topics related to the mind.
His gentleness allowed one to approach him with questions and he always had time for brainstorming with you.
He made a difference in my life and I’ll always be grateful for his teachings.
Jack Wolf
Joseph Spahn
January 11, 2021
Susan and Family
I will always think of Win as one of the most kind, loving, and giving souls I was blessed to meet. I benefitted from so many sessions and informal times with Win and you and can only imagine the vast assembly of folks that Win influenced and helped. A simple example is the large number of young students in the Buffalo area that benefitted from the training Win did with the faculties of local schools.
A life well lived. I am sure he rests in peace.
Joe Spahn
KRIS SCHLUDERMANN
January 10, 2021
I met Win as a participant in Project Renaissance. Win brought a profoundly positive method to potentiate humanity that continues in all those Project Renaissance touched.
ted coulson
January 10, 2021
You will be missed Win.
Andrej Vasle
January 9, 2021
God bless your soul! Very sorry to hear this...excellent human being!!!
Silvia Hartmann
January 9, 2021
Win Wenger was one of the first and only people at the very beginning of my research who encouraged me and understood what I was trying to achieve with my work. Always ready to learn, eternally curious and a fine, fine thinker as well as a wonderful human being, he brought his joy of discovery of the human spirit to so many people. I have inscribed his name in my Book of Stars and wish him the very best on his never ending journey, with all my love.
Suzanne Chamberlain
January 9, 2021
First discovered Win when attending my first CPSI. He was certainly encouraging us to open our minds. Had the good fortune to interact with Win and Susan at many subsequent CPSIs. Am glad to have known this gentleman and his original thinking.
Sending prayers, energy and fond memories to Susan and her family.
Robert Alan Black
January 9, 2021
I first experienced a workshop of Win's in 1978 where he used guided imagery experiences. Over the next few years I got to know WIN. Since then Win has been one of my greatest teachers, colleagues and friends as we saw each other at many creativity conferences each year: CPSI, Mindcamp, FCW, ACRE, A.C.E.
Thank you for your knowledge and techniques you shared.
Thank you for your true friendship for so many years.
Harry Vardus
January 9, 2021
Win is my mentor, my teacher, my inspiration. A giant among giants as a human and a professor among teachers as a mentor and coach. Love, inspiration, patience, insights, mind bending, fun, embrace are words that come to mind when I think of Win. Suzanne this is straight from the heart. I will miss him...
Diane Foucar-Szocki
January 8, 2021
Win and CPSI are synonymous in my memory. He and Sid together thinking, sharing and pondering possibilities fill my recollections. Susan, Reg and I send our condolences. We notice that arrangements are being handled by Lindsey here in Harrisonburg. May there be peace in this coming full circle. In typical times we would be there with you to pay our respects. Our thoughts are with you.
Seth Weine
January 8, 2021
A truly great man. May his work and memory live on and grow!