Michael W. Winter
May 6, 1958 ~ April 9, 2019
Michael Wayne Winter passed away April 9, 2019.
He was born May 6, 1958, to Woodie G. and Suzanne (Koch) Winter (deceased) in St. Louis, Missouri. Mike married Rhonda Lynn Robinson October 25, 1980.
A celebration of life gathering will take place at Mt. Gilead Church, Mooresville, Indiana (6019 East State Road 144, Mooresville, IN 46158) on Thursday, April 25 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., with a service beginning at 6:00p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Second Helpings (secondhelpings.org) or Mt. Gilead Church (mgchurch.org).
Mike graduated from General Motors Institute, obtained a Doctor of Jurisprudence and a Masters in Business Administration from Indiana University. He was a member of the Indiana Bar. He began his career at General Motors in 1976. He was instrumental in starting three companies that made major contributions in the manufacturing and financial services industries. Most recently he was the founder and president of Financial Vision. Mike served as the chairman of the Dean’s Industrial Advisory Committee for the Engineering School at IUPUI and received their Spirit of Philanthropy award.
Mike became an avid and accomplished horseman. He and his beloved horse Walter boldly jumped nearly every cross-country course in the Midwest. Mike volunteered and served his equestrian sport for over two decades, ultimately as the Vice President of Administration and Finance for the United States Eventing Association (USEA). Mike was honored with the Lifetime of Service Award from the USEA in 2018.
Mike had a huge respect for God’s great outdoors and an insatiable curiosity about the world around him. He made everything in his life an interesting adventure. Mike loved traveling, being in the company of family and friends and spending time at home on the farm with his dogs and horses. He skillfully captured his view of the world through the lens of his camera. Mike was an accomplished musician and a member of Mt. Gilead Church in Mooresville, Indiana.
To Mike’s remarkable family and friends: Mike was humbled by your kindness and generosity as you supported the challenging journey ALS brought late in his life. Your persistent presence enabled his positive, inspiring spirit to thrive.
He is survived by his wife, his father, his sister, Brenda (Kenneth) Wagener and three nieces.
Final arrangements and cremation are entrusted to Carlisle Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Please visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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I will never forget our trip to Kentucky in search of two very special horses, Walter & Higgins. The memories of all the horse shows together with the two of you. Great times, great friends. God bless. Love to you from Mike and Carol Rider
Just one of the best, kindest most intelligent men the world has ever produced – he found Rhonda and together they made the perfect pair of gloves – welcoming and caring for so many No praise is too high for the humour and integrity which he took through his life and brilliantly through his miserable illness Mike u r the greatest man to have emerged from Indy for some time i dare say and Rhonda the greatest and bravest lady xxxxlucinda
On behalf of the USEA Board of Governors and the USEA Staff we want to pass on our condolences to Mike’s family and friends. Mike was an amazing man and we were honored to have him as a part of our sport. His positive impact on our sport will continue to echo through it for years to come. Sincerely, Rob Burk (USEA CEO)
Apr 10, 2019 Michael W. Winter (1958 – 2019) By Leslie Mintz – USEA Staff Mike Winter. Previous USEA Board of Governor and Vice President of Admin and Finance, Mike Winter, passed away yesterday due to complications from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Winter was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Woodie G. and Suzanne Winter. He married Rhonda Lynn Robinson in 1980. Winter graduated from the General Motors Institute and earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence and a Masters in Business Administration from Indiana University. Winter didn’t take up riding until after his marriage to his longtime wife, Rhonda. They began taking beginner lessons together and hoped to have a few horses to trail ride on their farm in Indiana. A trip to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event hooked Winter on the sport of eventing and in 1988 (just a year after his first ever riding lesson) Winter made his eventing debut. Winter competed through the Intermediate level and at such prestigious events as the DeBroke Championships and the North Georgia Three-Day Event. All the while launching three different businesses including his most recent business, Financial Vision. Winter served as the chairman of the Dean’s Industrial Advisory Committee for the Engineering School at IUPUI and received their Spirit of Philanthropy award. Jo Whitehouse presents a thank you to Mike Winter as an outgoing Board member. RedBayStock.com Photo. Winter’s spent countless hours giving back to the sport of eventing including helping turn the site of the 1987 Pan American Games – the Hooosier Horse Park – into an eventing venue for every level. He served as Area VIII Chair from 2005 to 2009, and in 2009 was asked to join the USEA Board of Governors as Treasurer. He eventually became Vice President of Administration and Finance and served on the Board until 2014. His leadership through the post-recession years was invaluable to the Association and the USEA staff. Winter was awarded a USEA Governor’s Cup in 2013 and last December he was honored with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award by Carol Kozlowski. In her speech, Kozlowski said about Winter, “To me, what makes Mike truly special and so deserving of the President’s Award is that his presence in the eventing community represents all that is so incredible about the amateur side of the sport. [Eventing] attracts remarkably interesting people with diverse professions, model work ethics, compassion, and love for people and animals, and value for rich relationships with people, dogs, and horses that seems to be unmatched. A sense of responsibility to give more than you receive and the desire to guard and protect what is good about the sport while working to improve where opportunity allows.” Mike Winter doing what he loved most. A celebration of Mike Winter’s life will be held on April 25th in Mooresville, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to Second Helpings or Mt. Gilead Church. https://useventing.com/news-media/news/michael-w-winter-1958-2019?fbclid=IwAR04KXgMzpRMMwa4DF4MCF64Lm3G48fvBBbLq3FELDxJDr6BzePZCL_F1ys
Although I didn’t get to meet Mike, recently ALS took the life of one of my friends also. Friends and family find comfort is God’s promise of sickness and death being eliminated. (Revelation 21:4) Thereafter, we can enjoy life to the full as originally purposed. Hopefully, this promise will provide a measure of comfort to you as well.
Rhonda, Woodie and family, So sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. Even though we hadn’t seen each other in recent years, I always remember our family get-togethers when when I was a kid and how much I loved getting to see all of you. Sending much love and thinking of you all during this time. Love, Lara Nicosia Pascoe
Very sorry for your loss Rhonda, my thoughts and prayers for you and your family…..
Mike always had a smile and a kind word. He was such a positive guy. I’m so sorry for your loss. I know he will be greatly missed. Karla summers
Mike was one of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life. We shared a birthday & a friendship that I will treasure forever. Just being in his presence was always a joy as his sense of humor was so up lifting . His love for life itself. He was a man of integrity with overflowing love for his family, friends and all animals. I was always amazed with his knowledge & positive disposition. A man of few words, however those few were words I wanted to absorb & remember. He was an incredibly caring man. We will all miss this mountain of a man. He will live forever in my heart. ߙ
Rhonda I am so saddened and sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. Several of us from Prologix found out about a year ago about Mikes condition. Mike was truly a man that I admired greatly, as a boss and a friend. I am also sorry I cannot be there tomorrow. I finished up a project here in Wichita Kansas early today and I just tried to get my flight moved up and I can’t get back in Indianapolis before 8:00pm tomorrow night. Please know that I will be thinking about you and Mike as the visitation time arrives. Your friend always, Kevin Bowling
Mike was a kind soul. We were so saddened to hear the news. He and Rhonda have truly been an inspiration during this journey. Sending love to Rhonda during this difficult time. We will always hold fond memories of Michael.
It’s been a few years ago, but I loved watching my young son, John, play darts with Mike at your home while the dogs frolicked in the basement. We did the ALS bucket challenge and shared the video with you and Mike. John still has the note that Mike wrote thanking him stuck to his bulletin board. Such a sweet man. We were lucky to have special memories! Tracy Jaisle
Rhonda, Marilyn and I were so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband. Please accept our prayers of peace and comfort for you and your loved ones. Terry & Marilyn Shrout