Ralph "Butch" Winter

Ralph Edwin Winter, aka Butch, died at his home in Decatur on June 12 following a brief illness.

As a young boy, watching cars and people go by, the sad expression on Ralph's face caused his mother to ask him what was wrong. "I'm sad to think about all the people in the world that I will never know."

Ralph Winter proceeded to live a life that allowed him, as much as possible, to overcome that limitation.

The careers and passions he chose, including teacher, tutor, travel executive and advisor, numismatic appraiser and sales agent, and WW II history, provided exposure to a large number of people in diverse walks of life. The friends he made gave him tremendous happiness. More importantly, the joy he gave to an untold number of people was a gift that changed lives. He was a mentor to many, a life coach to those who sought his advice, and the most loyal of friends.

Ralph Winter was born March 23, 1943, in Albany, GA to Ruth Moore Haston and 1st Lt. Ralph Edwin Lamma. His father, a pilot with the 392nd BG, was killed when the B-24 he was piloting was shot down in an air raid over Bremen Germany. Ralph was adopted by Paul Henry Winter in 1947 when his mother remarried.

He grew up in Albany and earned his undergraduate and master's degree at the University of Georgia. He returned to South Georgia and began his career in teaching. However, the lure of travel continued to call.

Ralph returned to Atlanta and worked in increasingly responsible positions with various airlines as the airline industry continued to consolidate. His moves from the Mid West to south Florida to New England culminated in an executive position with commuter airline, Gull Air.

In 1987, Ralph returned to Atlanta and purchased a small travel agency. Renaming it Cumberland Travel Services, he built it into one of Atlanta's most trusted corporate travel agencies. In addition to corporate travel, Ralph serviced a variety of personal clients providing an array of customized trips for small groups to Canadian and European destinations.

Major changes in the travel industry prompted a decision to leave that business for good and finish his working life as a teacher. He joined the mathematics faculty of North Druid Hills Middle School, a short walk from his home.

Although he retired from full time teaching in 2009, he continued to substitute teach and tutor until 2024. His continued coaching of Math Counts at the school enabled that program to flourish, sending several students to statewide competition. He was in such demand as a substitute that his teaching friends would call him directly to get him to sub for them. They knew if they went through the computerized system their chances of engaging him were slim. Everyone, students included, wanted Mr. Winter.

At an early age, an aunt encouraged an interest in coin collecting in Ralph. It lasted his entire life. The expertise and education he pursued in that field provided a final career that opened yet another world. As a consultant, advisor, and agent, he provided a valuable service to clients in the sale of unique pieces and liquidation of collections.

An account of Ralph's life experiences would not be complete without mention of his personal pursuit of its history centering on his father's ultimate sacrifice in the Allied Forces' defense against totalitarian tyranny. This led to his involvement with the 392nd BGMA, a group composed of the surviving members of the 392nd BG stationed in Wendling, Norfolk, England, their families, and any others wishing to honor and perpetuate their legacy. He began reunions with the group in 2010, was elected a director in 2015 and President in 2019. He traveled with the group to Wendling on three trips. He was there a final time in February 2025 to attend the funeral of the English historian/friend of the 392nd BGMA. He traveled as well to Germany to the site of his father's plane crash; meaningful trips all, and each yet another opportunity to attempt to meet and know everyone in the world.

Ralph is survived by his husband, Kenneth Fanning, his sister, Bunny Winter (Michael Doyle), nephews, John, David, and Peter Doyle, his sister, Nancy Huggins (Bill), nephew Robert Huggins, his sister-in-law Gwen Lively and nephew Samuel Lively.

He is also survived by his animal companion, Angel, and as many of the world's people as he was able to befriend in his 82 years.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.