My Colleague and Friend of Many Years

I remember Dennis through two different stints at the Council. In his first tenure there I remember him specifically being "The Voice" of the Council as I heard him promote our organization on KYW news radio and his rich deep tone literally greeted you when you called our main number and got our automated attendant.

By the time I had started in 2001, he had been with the Council for many years, first as a volunteer and Board member and then a full-time staff person working on transportation issues, especially public transit and trails. He led efforts to link the Philly region to the ambitious East Coast Greenway and was our representative on citizen stakeholder groups advising DVRPC about transportation issues.

Dennis came to us after having a whole other career as an engineer but ultimately his passion for the environment brought him to the Council and many staff members enjoyed his presence and benefited from having him as coworker from an older generation. I know I did.

Back when I started he was active in socializing with the rest of the staff, which by nature of being a nonprofit always leans young. We affectionately called him "Grumpy Gramps" and he loved joining the crew for Indian food outings. First, it was the stuff-your-face-until-your-stomach-hurt buffet Samosa but then in later years it was the takeout place Minar Palace, where Dennis always ordered chicken makhani.

Even though he wasn't a beach person he usually joined the rest of us for our then annual summer staff event, "Cape May Day." Of course he would just stay in the beach house rented by my boss so that he could read the latest stack of news he brought with him.

Ah yes. The stack of documents. The most recognizable tip off that Dennis was around. He LOVED to read through every possible news article of interest to him with highlighter in hand. It kept him well versed in any and all environmental and transportation issues.

For someone who was quite happy being alone and ensconced in all that information, I'm glad he was willing to engage with the rest of the staff and be a member of the crew at times. It can't be easy to be surrounded by folks at very different points in their lives than you. But Dennis embraced it and made the effort and we were all better off because of it. We all had a great deal of affection for him back then.

I remember he recommended that I join SEPTA's Citizen Advisory Committee and that became an activity that we shared outside the Council. I remember being so jealous of his handwriting - such gorgeous penmanship. And I remember going to El Azteca for dinner with Dennis a few times. We vowed to do more of that in the future.

Dennis left the Council for the first time about midway into my career there. He did spend some time as Deputy Director years before I would take that title. When he joined us again as a part-time staff member I was in a very different place in my life, both personally and at work. At this point there had been enough turnover and enough of an age gap for me, that I stopped socializing with the rest of the staff. Now as part of management and tasked with running the administration department, I rarely had a chance to touch base with Dennis. And I know he tended to keep to himself during this phase of his Council career. So much had changed at the Council but I always enjoyed seeing his white bearded face at the weekly staff meetings and at our weekly snack breaks.

It makes me sad that I hadn't really seen or thought about Dennis since he had left the Council that final time in 2018. I just had so much going on in my own life and at work. I regretted that we never did meet up again at El Azteca for dinner like we said we would.

I'm very sorry Dennis. I wish I had stayed in touch better. I know things were hard for you right up until you left this world. But I am grateful for all the many years I knew you while you were at the Council. My experience there was immeasurably improved because of your steadying presence and I will never forget you. Be at peace my friend.

Mr Winters was an inspiration

Dennis Winters was a great advocate for the environment and fought endlessly for the right of residents to give public input to city and state planning processes. Dennis was especially dedicated to sustainable transportation and practiced what he preached walking and biking everywhere well into his seventies. Dennis was also an avid entomologist and dedicated his free time to the Academy of Natural Science. He will be missed.

Environmental advocate

Dennis was a strong advocate for protecting the environment. He was passionate and knowledgeable about many issues, and there's no doubt that the world is a better place because of him.

thankful to have worked with Dennis

Dennis and I worked together at Clean Air Council. I always enjoyed talking to him, appreciated his insights, and was impressed by his knowledge of science. Dennis was always willing to help and he fought for so many years to protect the environment for all of us. I am thankful to have shared time with such a great guy.