of Little Rock, AR
April 13, 1942 - April 14, 2023
Ronald Howard Winters was born April 13, 1942 in Hollywood, California to Lee and Lucille Winters and died April 13, 2023 on his 81st birthday. As his mother passed away at the time of his birth, he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Aaron and Rose Kertman and his wonderful aunt, Clarisse. He grew up in Hollywood and North Hollywood, graduating from North Hollywood High School.
He graduated from San Fernando Valley State College, now California State University-Northridge, receiving the top biology student award. After a short time in research at Riker's Laboratories, he continued his education, receiving his PhD in pharmacology from Oregon State University after preliminary work at Oregon Health Sciences Center. He served on the faculty and in the administration at Oregon State College of Pharmacy and Wichita State University as Associate Dean of the College of Health Related Professions, before becoming Dean of the College of Health Professions at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), in 1982. There he took the small college from a loose affiliation of programs to become at his retirement in 2011, the largest college on campus with 21 programs, degrees and certificates with students in Arkansas, nationally and internationally.
Throughout his career he was honored with numerous teaching awards and recognition of his contributions to education in Arkansas and to national organizations. His greatest joy was in teaching, from a special school for child actors in Los Angeles, to college students and graduates continuing education. In retirement, he was awarded professor emeritus status from UAMS. He also enjoyed traveling, leading a LifeQuest class, volunteering at the Museum of Discovery, serving on the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Board of Advisors and driving his vintage Bentley.
He leaves his loving wife of 47 years, Marsha and beloved children, daughter, Alexandra and son-in-law, Ivan Iordanov of Baltimore, Maryland and son, Andrew of Little Rock, as well as other family members.
A memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald H Winters Endowed Scholarship, College of Health Professions,4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra or any educational charity of your choice.
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19 Condolence(s)
Chris and Terri Westfall
Friday, May 5, 2023
Dr. Ron Winters was a friend a colleague. Always supportive, always kind, he was the penultimate gentleman. We will miss him dearly.
Johnpaul Jones
Monday, May 1, 2023
I heard the news of his death today from a friend. My warmest condolences to Marsha and the children.
I worked with Dean Winters many times during my career at UAMS. I always found him to be such a gentleman and he always treated me with respect. He had a rapier, dry wit which is probably why I enjoyed working with him.
I genuinely missed him when he retired. I respected him so much. I’m a better person for having known him and Marsha.â¤ï¸
Mary Paal
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Marsha- I shall miss seeing you at Avenir- Time will get you through this loss. Peace to your spirit.
Bob Hopkins
Monday, April 24, 2023
Ron made us all better by his intelligence, wit and caring smile.
From my earliest encounters with him to my last, I am thankful to have met and learned from him.
I hope he is -for eternity- enjoying the ice cream we talked about at our last visit...
Sending peace and hope to Marsha and family.
Jacqueline Reese
Friday, April 21, 2023
I had the pleasure of getting to know Dr. Winters at The Museum of Discovery. He will always be a part of our museum family. Such an intelligent man. I enjoyed our talks and the times we laughed about everything. Praying for his families strength at this time. He will be missed.
Karen Alford
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Sorry for your loss. What is love remains in the heart.
John Shock
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Ron was a great friend and neighbor. He was a great help in establishing the Ophthalmology Medical Technology at UAMS among other accomplishments. We wish Marsha and his family our most sincere sympathy in his passing. He was a great leader and mentor.
Sharum Dinning
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Enjoyed you at LifeQuest, Ron! Rest in. Peace! Condolences to Marsha and family.
Gina Bridges
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
LifeQuest was honored to have Ron lead "What's On Your Mind" and attend classes. He is missed.
Barry and Beth Lindley
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Ron was a good friend throughout our time at UAMS and in Little Rock. He was gifted with a keen sense of humor, wide-ranging interests, and penetrating insight. His integrity, persistence, vision, and meticulous attention to detail made him a fine leader for the College and nationally. He was reliable and enjoyable to work with, and, when professional concerns were set aside, a good companion about life in general - a man much to be missed. All our deepest condolences to his wonderful family, with whom we shared so many good times.
Stryker Warren
Monday, April 17, 2023
Upon reflection all of us can identify that individual in our lives who inspired us, challenged us, encouraged us, humored us and who led by example. In my life, that was and is Dr. Winters. An iconoclast, a scholar, an indefatigable seeker of the truth, a comedian with searing intellect, a brilliant pharmacologist who was equally brilliant and confident in disassembling a vintage Bentley's engine, a well prepared and uncompromising critic who offered that perspective as a gift. . . moreover, a renaissance man and a gentle giant with the biggest of hearts. Ron's vocabulary stretched those of us around him, and I now find myself only considering superlatives to describe him, yet they seemingly fall short. We should not harbor regrets but one of mine is not finding the time to visit Little Rock for the singular purpose of sitting in his office and asking, "Were you King Ronald for a day, how would you fix this crazy world?" You and I both know it would have been a thoughtful, provocative answer. It was a large part of his exceptionally unique charisma. And then there was that curious circular slide rule he relied upon. . . I could never decipher it, but he could read it 8 places to the right of the decimal point. Sports Illustrated for my favorite subscription; but Science Magazine and Nature for him. Sheer genius cloaked in a white lab coat whose pockets served as holsters for his hands when they were not clasped behind his back as he patrolled the front of the lecture hall offering a conversational delivery of dense pharmacological detail. Rapt attention paid by all of us--he made Goodman and Gilman's Pharmacological basis of therapeutics seem particularly relevant. Ron? Memorable in every sense of the word. Yes he was. Godspeed Dr. Winters.
Sheena Joyner
Monday, April 17, 2023
My sincere condolences to the Winters family. I am sorry for your loss and pray you find comfort, peace, and are surrounded by love during this time.
Phyllis Fields
Monday, April 17, 2023
My sincere condolences to the Winters family. I am sorry for your loss and pray you find comfort, peace, and are surrounded by love during your time of bereavement.
Martha Hirsch Alman
Monday, April 17, 2023
Dr.Winters always listened with intentionality, calmly and gently formulating his words before responding. Often, my thoughts or requests were way out of the box. However, when he did respond, I knew that he had listened. His thoughtful and wise advice guided me to make healthy decisions for our programs in the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology. In social settings, whether at a formal function or at a restaurant, Dr. Winters would take the time to converse freely, exuding genuine curiosity and respect. He always made me feel important in the grand scheme of life.
I am very sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing.
With heartfelt sincerely,
Martha
James Clayworth,RPh
Monday, April 17, 2023
Met Ron at OSU in ‘69. We remained close friends forever. He and Marsha are forever in my heart.
He helped with my families cancer treatments.
He made a real mark in medical care and he will be missed
Diane Skinner
Sunday, April 16, 2023
Dean Winters well understood education and built the College of Health Professions. His integrity and high standards were much appreciated and his stories were a delight.
Michael D. Winters
Saturday, April 15, 2023
We will miss Ron very much. He was a brilliant person and enriched our family. It is sad to lose him so soon.
Steve winters
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Condolences from Ron’s half brother and thinking of Marsh and the kids during this difficult time.
michael angelo natali
Saturday, April 15, 2023
I'm sorry for your loss Dr. Winters was a great teacher.
mike