Robert Lewis Winje, 88, of Manlius and Marco Island, FL, peacefully entered into heaven on Aug. 7, 2023 surrounded by his family in Bellevue, NE. He was born May 10, 1935, to Ida and Herbert Winje in Breckenridge, MN.
Bob, the most loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter: Michelle (David) Diamant of Lincoln, NE, son: Michael (Patricia) Winje of Manlius; son-in-law: Shawn Van Winkle of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren: Jennifer (N. Omar) Valentine, Ethan (Bridget) Diamant, Robert J. Winje, Eli Diamant, Meghan Winje, Lincoln Diamant, Logan Van Winkle; great-grandchildren: Nicolas and Hailey Valentine; sisters Audrey Wellendorf, Marilyn (Dick) Lund and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents: Ida and Herbert Winje; youngest daughter: Cheryl Van Winkle, sister: Marguerite Krey and brothers-in-law: Donald Wellendorf and Wally Krey.
Upon graduation from Clinton High School in Clinton, MN, Bob attended St. John’s University and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in electrical engineering. He moved to Syracuse for his new career at General Electric Company in the Heavy Military Department in 1958. He specialized in radar and sonar projects until he retired in 1993. In 1995 he was granted a patent on his invention of the vertical velocity ambiguity resolution method. It was through work where he met his bride, Susan Stroud, or as he lovingly called her, “Sweets.” The two married on Nov. 27, 1965 and raised their three children in Manlius.
At home, Bob enjoyed spending time in his wood shop, where he built furniture, kitchen cabinets and many other projects including requests from his children and grandchildren. Bob knew his way around a toolbox and could fix anything that needed to be fixed.
In the summer months Bob coached the Town of Manlius Little League Baseball as well as assisted with softball leagues. In the winter you could find him working as a ski instructor at Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland, N.Y., and later at Labrador Mountain in Truxton, N.Y. Many of his family members have fond memories of him teaching them how to ski as young children. To this day when skiing, they can hear him hollering “plant your poles” and “bend your knees.”
Bob enjoyed traveling with his family, usually by car and stopping in many states. There were many trips to Minnesota to see his parents, sisters and their families. One of his favorite trips was a cruise in Alaska where the couple celebrated their 30th anniversary.
Bob participated in bridge clubs in Syracuse as well as Marco Island. Bob and Sue played couples bridge with many friends on a regular basis including the Marco Island Bridge Club. He was a member of the American Contract Bridge League and excelled at playing duplicate bridge.
Another one of Bob’s passions was sailing. He and Sue docked their 34’ Grampian Ketch at Navy Point in Sackets Harbor, NY. They later moved to Henderson Harbor, N.Y., and joined the Henderson Harbor Yacht club to remain close to the sailing community for 12 years.
From 1996 to 1999 Bob and Sue were “snow birds” and spent their winters in Marco Island, FL, and permanently moved there until 2022 when they moved to Bellevue, NE.
Bob will be remembered as a kind, caring, loving and funny man who always put God and his family first. He was dependable, and always did what was right.
A funeral mass to be held on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, at 11 a.m., luncheon to follow, at Immaculate Conception Parish, 400 Salt Springs St., Fayetteville, NY 13066.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: OnCare Hospice, 16934 Frances St. Suite 105, Omaha, NE 68130.
