Richard C. Winters, 95, of Lincroft, died at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Dick was born at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank and lived in Middletown his entire life. He graduated from Leonardo High School (now Middletown High School North) in 1946 and attended Monmouth Junior College (now Monmouth University).
Dick served in the United States Naval Reserve for four years while operating his own excavating business. He was employed by Hess Brothers Inc., contractors and engineers of Parlin for 44 years, retiring in 1996 as executive vice president. Dick immensely enjoyed his long career with Hess Brothers Inc. and the people he worked with, many of whom became lifelong friends. He could hardly wait to get to work early each morning. Dick always said “HESS” really stood for “Holidays, Evenings, Saturdays and Sundays.”
Dick was a member of the New Monmouth Baptist Church for many years. One of his most rewarding tasks was being appointed chairman of the church’s building committee, which was responsible for the construction of the church’s new all-purpose building, the Family Ministry Center. Dick also served on the church’s board of trustees for several years.
Dick’s favorite spectator sport was Major League Baseball, and he was a lifelong diehard fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates. His greatest moment of baseball joy was when the 1960 Pirates beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.
Dick loved dogs. His best friend for 14 years was a wonderful miniature schnauzer named Maxie. He and Maxie were inseparable. In later years, a loveable little Maltese named Chrissie was his constant companion.
Dick was also a motorhome enthusiast, loving nothing better than to travel throughout the country enjoying air shows that featured World War II restored aircraft. He was an ardent history student, completing several history courses at Brookdale Community College, and he especially enjoyed studying all aspects of World War II. One of his prized possessions was a fully restored 1943 Willys jeep, and he had a vast array of memorabilia pertaining to World War II. His main interest was in the activities of the United States Army’s 8th Air Force, the “Mighty Eighth.”
Dick was a notary public in New Jersey for many years. He served as chairman of his high school reunion committee, organizing a yearly reunion for anyone who ever attended Leonardo High School, along with his beloved wife Ellie, who was a fellow 1946 graduate. Dick loved to get together with his friends and classmates on a regular basis. He also loved music, especially enjoying the Big Band era and the songs of Frank Sinatra.
He was a past president of the Monmouth Organ Society, a member of the Experimental Aircraft Owners Association, The Warbirds of America, the Military Vehicle Preservation Association, the Military Transport Association, the American Truck Historical Association, the Historical Construction Equipment Association, the National Rifle Association, the Commemorative Air Force, the Family Motor Coach Association, the American Coach Association, and the Mercedes Benz Club of America.
Dick was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Dorothy (Dolly) Kite Winters, in 2002. His beloved second wife, Eleanor D. Winters, died in 2017. He was also predeceased by his daughter Nancy Lynn Farr; his stepson Gary Williamson and his wife Georgette; and his parents, Elizabeth M. Winters and Carl H. Winters, both of Chapel Hill.
He is survived by his daughter Mary Dale Kerr and her husband Bob of Frisco, Texas. Also surviving are his stepchildren, Nancy Bard and her husband Jeff of Annapolis, Maryland, and Steve Williamson and his wife Cheryl of Levittown, Pennsylvania; his son-in-law Biff; four grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and many close friends and family members.
Funeral services were held Feb. 1 at New Monmouth Baptist Church, Middletown. Interment followed at Colts Neck Old Reformed Church Cemetery, Colts Neck. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Monmouth Baptist Church.
The article originally appeared in the February 13 – 19, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
