John Winn

Sharon, VT - Dr. John Sterling Winn, 77, of Sharon, Vermont, died peacefully on December 21, 2024, at the Jack Byrne Palliative and Hospice Center in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Born in Lexington, Virginia, in the historic former home of Stonewall Jackson, John grew up in Roanoke, Virginia. He was the son of Sterling and Nancy (Mahady) Winn, parents whom he honored and loved with all his heart. A 1965 graduate of William Fleming High School, John went on to earn his undergraduate degree from MIT in 1969. He completed his doctoral degree at the University of California at Berkeley, followed by postdoctoral research at Harvard University.

John dedicated four decades to teaching chemistry at UC Berkeley and Dartmouth College. A gifted educator and scholar, he published numerous articles and a textbook and earned many teaching awards throughout his career. He was deeply respected by his students and colleagues alike for his passion for learning and his ability to inspire others.

In 1970, John married Patricia Delorey of East Weymouth, Massachusetts; their marriage later ended in divorce. Together they welcomed a son, John Christopher Winn, born in 1971.

A true Renaissance man, John had a wide array of interests that reflected his deep curiosity about life. He loved cats, music, film, and world travel-especially to Sweden. His sense of humor was a delight.

In addition to his son John, daughter-in-law Janis (Christiansen) Winn and her son Colin VanCourt, all of Utica, New York, John is survived by his beloved Stephanie Boone of Lebanon, New Hampshire; her son Matt Joanis and his wife Carolyn Dale, their daughters Hunter and Skylar; her son Luke Joanis and his partner Anna Fleischman, and their daughter Rosalyn.

A springtime memorial service will be planned to honor John's life. Donations in his memory may be given to Alley Cat Allies (www.alleycat.org) or your local humane society.

John Sterling Winn will be remembered for his intellectual brilliance, his love of teaching, and the joy he brought to those who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to all who mourn his passing.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Valley News on Dec. 24, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for John Winn

Sponsored by Rand-Wilson Funeral Home.

4 Entries

Michael Blayney

January 11, 2025

You will always be remembered, John.

Doug Slusher

January 3, 2025

I first got to know "Johnny" at Sunday school (Calvary Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA.) . We were in the same SS class from the 4th grade 'til graduation. Johnny's parents were in charge of the Junior Department there and they did a tremendous job! One day, after class, when everyone was gone, Johnny and I got into a fight. I don't know why - we weren't angry at all. For some reason, we just seemed to seemed to enjoy shoving each other all over the SS room that day!

I found out from John's mother, 3-5 year's later that I wasn't the only boy who had a crush on our 4th/5th? grade SS teacher, Susie Heslip, a cute High School (and outstanding) senior. Johnny had told his mother that he thought all 10 boys had a crush on Susie!

We later both attended Breckenridge Jr. High and from there on to Fleming where, as you know, Johnny distinguished himself.
After graduation, we didn't see each other but in recent years, we reconnected (sort of) on FB. We never wrote back and forth but he began to check either "like", "love", or "ha, ha!" after i posted something he found humorous. That's when I realized that even with all his brilliance, he had a great sense of humor.

Sadly, the world has lost another one of those people whom we need here so badly.

My condolences to his family and friends.
Sincerely,
Doug Slusher

Jake Neathawk

December 29, 2024

I was saddened to learn of the death of my long time friend, John Winn. We go back to the 4th or 5th grade at Huff Lane school, then Lee Jr., then the "old" Fleming on Williamson road , and finally the new Fleming.
John was the valedictorian of our class of about 450 in 1965.
Then he moved on to MIT where he earned 2 undergraduate degrees (physics, chemistry) during the 4 years of undergraduate school. Not bad for a kid from Williamson road.
Next he journeyed out to Berkeley , Ca (in an old VW bus as I recall) where he completed his requirements for a Phd.
He then moved back East and did a 2 year post-doc fellowship at Harvard.
After that he began work at Dartmouth College in the Physics department where he rose to the rank of Professor and later was named Department
Chair. He was highly regarded as a teacher and researcher.
He married, and had a son named John.
In later years as his health declined, son John and his long time and deeply devoted friend Stephanie Boone, were extremely supportive to him as he struggled with one health issue after another. And then his life concluded a few days ago.
I remember him as a remarkably bright but friendly guy. Not the least bit haughty or arrogant about his many academic accomplishments.
I could easily go on, but will conclude by saying that this guy made a remarkably positive difference for a lot of people.

Margo Deck

December 28, 2024

This is so sad. I will miss his thoughtful and caring words shared on Facebook.God bless his loved ones.

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