John H. Winant Passed Away Tuesday
The
National Business Aviation Association is deeply saddened by the
passing of John H. Winant, former president of the Association and
a critical player in the evolution of business aviation. Winant
died of natural causes Tuesday at his home in Williamstown, MA. He
was 85 years-old.
"It would be difficult to overstate the importance of John
Winant in the development of business aviation in the United States
and around the world," said NBAA President Ed Bolen. "John was
respected and trusted by aviation professionals, company
executives, cabinet secretaries and elected officials. His
integrity, knowledge, dedication and gentle nature made him an
extraordinarily effective advocate for our community."
Winant was first elected to NBAA's Board of Directors in 1957
when he was vice president of the Sprague Electric Company. While
still a director, he was appointed as NBAA's first full-time staff
president in 1971, and he served in that capacity through his
retirement in 1986 when the NBAA Board bestowed on him the title of
President Emeritus.
Under Winant's direction, NBAA grew from 824 Member Companies to
almost 3,000 and the Association's Annual Meeting & Convention
became one of aviation's premier events in the world. In 1981 he
was instrumental in bringing together other business aviation
associations from around the world to form the International
Business Aviation Council.
Winant authored two books on business aviation. Keep
Business Flying, a history of NBAA and the industry, was
published in 1989 and NBAA Works was published in
2002.
During his career, Winant received many of aviation's highest
awards, including the Federal Aviation Administration's
"Distinguished Service Award;" PATCO's "President's Award;" Flight
Safety Foundation's "Meritorious Service Award;" and National
Aeronautical Association's "Elder Statesman Award." In 1977,
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University awarded Winant the Gill Robb
Wilson Award and later conferred on him the honorary degree of
Doctor of Aviation Management. The Board Room at NBAA Headquarters
in Washington, DC is named for Winant.
Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1923, Winant graduated from the Peddie
School in Hightstown, NJ and received his bachelor's degree from
Williams College.
During World War II, Winant served with the US Marine Corps as
an infantry platoon leader, earning the Bronze Star medal with
combat "V" for hero service. During the Korean War, he served as
captain in charge of the Marine Guard force at Indian Island near
Hadlock, WA.
Long active in the Protestant Episcopal Church, Winant served
for four years as the senior warden of St. John's Church in
Washington, DC, the historic parish known as "the Church of
Presidents."
Winant is survived by his wife, Kathryn, their two children,
Peter Winant and Claudia Elliot, and their families, including five
grandchildren. The funeral will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday,
January 17 in Williamstown.
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