RIP - John K Winders (STAFF, 58 - 69)

John Keith Winders: STAFF, 1958 - 1969

Born 1st September 1935 - Died 5th February 2024

John Keith Winders had been educated at Sedbergh and Clare College, Cambridge where he had read Engineering.  His first teaching post in 1958 was at Christ’s College, Brecon where he was assistant Physics master and Housemaster of Orchard.  During his time at Brecon coached both Rugby and Cricket and ran the Astronomical Society.  He designed a range of equipment used to teach Physics which enabled getting the best from ‘some average’ students!’.  One of his students at CCB has said –

I never experienced, at any time (and certainly not at university!), teaching as clear, as logical or as meticulously prepared and well-constructed as  Mr Winders'. He had the ability to make one idea lead naturally to another, so as to require little further explanation.  My limited mathematical understanding meant that I was not a typical physicist, but I cannot think of an occasion when I did not straightaway understand  - and enjoy - what I learned in one of his lessons, from the third form through to 'A' level. 

It was from there in 1969 that he went to Dauntsey’s School in West Lavington Wiltshire as Head of Physics. 

His first headmaster at Brecon had spoken of him as having “taught most capably and obtained very good results – often with not very promising material.”  An enviable achievement.  And when he retired in 1994 Christopher Evans spoke of John’s experience and distinction, of his having valued John enormously for his wisdom and guidance: the reputation of Dauntsey’s in Science owed him a great deal.  The new science block opened in 2012 has a laboratory named after him.

Former colleagues and pupils were no less fulsome in their comments on learning of his recent death:  A wonderful, understated sense of humour.  A greatly respected colleague and teacher, who radiated calm authority at all times.  Enthusiasm for Physics, with a real sense of playfulness alongside a scholarly depth of knowledge, which he always wore lightly and with great modesty.  A good man and a good teacher.  These are plaudits in which any might feel pride.

On retirement John and his wife, Elizabeth, continued to live in the Salisbury area making good friends in the active village community of Stratford-Sub-Castle and enjoyed the company of fellow lifelong learners in the various U3A groups they joined. After a long career teaching physics, his love of poetry, classical music and the natural world were John’s main interests in his nearly 30 years post-retirement.  John led study groups in the U3A where his teaching style continued and was greatly appreciated.  He also became well known for his knowledge of the wildflowers, butterflies and trees found in the meadows around Salisbury.

John is survived by his wife Elizabeth, their 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. His children (now in their 60s) still have very fond memories of their childhoods growing up in Orchard House and the attention given them by the ladies who supported the housekeeping areas. A lifelong support of the Welsh rugby team was borne from being born in and their time spent in Brecon.