Richard “Dick” Wintermote
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Funeral services for Richard D. “Dick” Wintermote, 85, Lawrence, KS will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2011 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lawrence. Rev. Dr. Peter Luckey will be the officiant. Private burial will be later in the Forest Hills Cemetery in Kansas City, MO. He died on Monday, December 19, 2011 at Brandon Woods at Alvamar in Lawrence.
He was born on July 10, 1926 in Augusta, KS, the son of John W. Sr. & Ruth Clouse Wintermote. He grew up in Augusta, KS and was a graduate of Augusta High School. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy. He served 18 months (1944-1946) on New Hebredes and New Caledonia Islands in the South Pacific.
Following his service to the country in 1946, he came to Lawrence to attend KU. He graduated from KU in 1951. While at KU, he was a cheerleader for the 1948 Orange Bowl in Miami, FL.
Dick was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Until his death, he has continued his work supporting the fraternity. The fraternity honored him in 1982 as the Distinguished Alumnus of the Kansas Chapter of Delta Upsilon (part of the inaugural class), 1992-1995, he helped raise $2.1 million dollars and was actively involved in the $3 million renovation of the Kansas DU chapter House and in 2010, he was recognized as the inaugural recipient of the Dick Wintermote Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dick was the retired Executive Director of the KU Alumni Association from 1963-1983.
He was an Assistant, Field or Associate Director of the KU Alumni Association from September 1951 to July 1963, at which time he was named Executive Director and Secretary-Treasurer. He retired from those positions on July 1, 1983 after 32 years with the Association, 20 years as the chief operating officer. He then was asked to manage long-range planning for both the K.U. Alumni Association and the Kansas University Endowment Association and it was from those studies that the very successful Campaign Kansas was born.
Under his leadership, the Alumni Association was named national champion and received “The Alumni Administration Award for Comprehensive Excellence” in 1972; won the Time-Life “Best Direct Mail Campaign of the Year” in 1971; received National Citations for Merit in 1974 and 1975 for “New and Innovative Alumni Programming”, “Alumni Records Management” and the Kansas Honor Student Program. The Alumni Association’s Kansas Alumni Magazine was named “Best in the Nation” in 1983 and had been regularly recognized on district and national levels for overall excellence for many years. Dick was a frequent speaker at district and national conferences of the American Alumni Council and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, and at two International Business Machine “Higher Education Executive Conferences”. He served as an alumni association consultant to the President of the University of Arizona and to the Alumni Association of the University of Colorado at Boulder. One of his proudest accomplishments was being involved in the planning of the K.S. “Boots” Adams Alumni Center and his role in its planning, starting in 1979; the campaign that raised more than $6 million in private funds and monies for its endowment. It was opened on August 22, 1983.
In 1982, he was designated as a Distinguished KU Alumni and in 1989; he was the recipient of the Fred Ellsworth Medallion. In 2008, he served as President of the Gold Medal Club at KU.
In 2007, the KU Alumni Association created the Dick Wintermote Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award to honor Dick, who dedicated his career to building relationships with KU alumni, and his renowned personal letters earned him admiration and a lasting legacy.
He was married to Barbara Jean Fletcher on December 28, 1950 in Kansas City, MO. She preceded him in death on May 8, 2011.
Survivors include one daughter, Terry W. Preston, of Lawrence, a son, Mark F. Wintermote, of Glendale, AZ, four grandchildren; Matthew F. Preston, Katherine A. Preston, Ben F. Wintermote, Zachary C. Wintermote, and a great grandson, Jackson F. Wintermote.
The family suggests memorials in his name to the Kansas University Alumni Association for an internship honor program to be developed in his name or to the Kansas Delta Upsilon Educational Foundation and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
To give personally written messages, please mail to: 4805 Brandon Woods Terrace, Lawrence, KS 66047
Janet and I are extremely saddened by the news of Dick’s death. He was my favorite boss, really more like a special uncle. His alumni staff was a tight-knit group that operated like a family. We didn’t always agree, but we always laughed and had a great time serving the University of Kansas. I will always remember Dick as the successor of “Mr. KU,” Fred Ellsworth. He was a champ. He loved KU, and KU loved him back. He will be missed.
Dick was my good friend and Fraternity Brother for many years, and I will miss him. He set a standard for loyalty– he loved KU and Delta Upsilon and poured his time, effort and money into those organizations that gave so much back to him. He was a mentor and wise counsel to a lot of us who followed him through KU and DU, and just about every living Kansas DU knows what an impact he had on our Chapter. Many thanks to Dick’s family for sharing him with his “Brothers”.
When I received the news of Dick’s passing, my KU-alum son was with several of his KU-DU pledge brothers at Sprint Center enjoying a Jayhawk game, continuing their brotherhood as young professionals. Their network and ability to support each other in these particular economic times would not have happened if had not been for Dick. Dick: you inspired me in life, and will long inspire those who follow you. Thank you.
Dick was my very first boss! What a boss he was. He was like a Dad. He was so kind, considerate and loving to everyone. He always had a smile to share. I hadn’t seen him in a long time, but will always remember him as he was. I’ll see him in Heaven one day and give him a great big hug! God Bless all of his family. Let’s celebrate his life and what a great one he had.
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our prayer have been and will continue to be with your family.
Patty Denbo and Family
“Veronica and Matt’s Aunt”
Dick Wintermote was an important presence in my undergraduate live at the DU house more than fifty years ago. He remained an important presence in the life of the University for many decades and contributed much to the health and strength of KU.
Terry and family: My sincere condolences on your father’s death. I enjoyed knowing him over the years, and very much appreciated our association. He was an incredibly accomplished man. His service to Kansas University will be remembered for generations. I know it’s been a difficult year with the deaths of both your parents. Best wishes to you during this time of need.
Heaven has a new cheer leader.
What a great friend and what a great contribute to KU and DU. My best to the family. Bob Moore
I am very sorry to learn of Dick’s passing. Not only was he a great friend to KU and its alumni, he also had a positive effect on all those he encountered. He inspired me to pursue a nearly 30-year career in alumni relations, for which I have always been grateful. He will be greatly missed, but his memory and influence will live on.
I first met Mr. Wintermote and his wife Barbara in the Alumni Office in Strong Hall at K.U. My younger sister Lanna and I helped our mother Winifred Hentsch assemble mailing packets each year before the Fall semester began. Later, when we “grew up” we attended and graduated from K.U. and fondly remember the warm welcome we received from Mr. Wintermote whenever we met. He always greated us with a smile and took time to talk. God bless–
The Dill family is thinking of your family today. God’s blessings
Kenneth and Azela (Patterson)Dill family are thinking of you today. Azela and Dick are cousins and grew up 1/2 block from each other in Augusta. Their mothers,Ruth and Mabel, were sisters. We always enjoyed Dick stopping by when he was in Augusta
Sorry for the loss of your grandfather. I’m sorry I haven’t been a good cousin lately because of self inflicted misfortunate circumstances, but that doesn’t change the fact I love you Aunt Terry, Uncle Kevin, Matt, and Katie. -Adam