E. John Winhold

E. John Winhold of Troy, Professor Emeritus of Physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) died peacefully on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at age 93. Born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, he was predeceased in 2009 by his dear wife of almost 58 years, Joan Rumball Winhold. He is survived by his three daughters, Alison (John) Saxelby of Lowell, MA., Claire Winhold of Framingham, MA., and Beth (Shawn) Muthersbaugh of Averill Park, his five grandchildren, Heather (John) O’Donnell of Framingham, MA., Meredith (Mark) Speirs of Eindhoven, Netherlands, Megan (Brian) Glikes of Albany, John (Lisa) Muthersbaugh of Rutland, Vt., and Michael (Lauren) Muthersbaugh of Seneca, S.C., and eight great-grandchildren.

John received the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physics in 1949 from the University of Toronto. In 1953, he received the PhD in Physics from  MIT. He spent one further year there as a Research Associate, then joined the Physics teaching faculty at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, for three years. In 1957, he moved to Troy where he became a member of the RPI Physics faculty. He retired from RPI in 1992 after 35 years. John and his students constructed a Cockeroft-Walton Accelerator which they used as a neutron source for nuclear physics research over the years. John made use of various research facilities including the RPI Linac, University of Maintz in Germany, and the Laboratory for Nuclear Science at Tohuku University, Sendai, Japan. He spent 1968-69 on leave at the Harwell Atomic Energy Research Laboratory in the United Kingdom, and 1982 at MIT Bates Laboratory. In 1961, John became a naturalized U.S. citizen. 

In April 1975, a downtown Troy church hosted an evangelistic lay witness weekend. For John, that weekend was life transforming, and he became a committed follower of Jesus. He served as a Vestry member and Senior Warden at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Troy for many years. He was also active in Cursillo in the Diocese of Albany and was Lay Director for two years. In 1998, John helped form the Albany Vineyard Church now known as Spindle City Vineyard Church. He has been a Trustee there for many years. He was a Board Member and Secretary/Treasurer of International Accelerated Missions of Berne, N.Y. and made missions trips to Kenya, India, and Nigeria.

John was a humble man of integrity, a loving and generous father and grandfather, a faithful friend, and a wise leader. While his family will miss him terribly, they know he is with the Lord.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 2- 4 PM. Interment will be in  Elmwood Hill Cemetery Troy.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 2:30 PM at the Brunswick Church 42 White Church Lane Troy. Face covering and social distancing are strongly recommended. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of John may be made to Spindle City Vineyard Church 121 Remsen St, Cohoes, NY 12047 or to International Accelerated Missions, 114 Rock Rd, Berne, NY 12023.

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