Philip Winn
Philip Donald Winn, former US ambassador to Switzerland and co-founder of DU’s Bridge Project, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in Denver. He was 91. Rabbi Steven Foster officiated at the Jan. 29 service at Feldman Chapel. A private burial followed. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
“Phil had a passion for traveling the world with his wife Elle, had a great appreciation for music and loved jogging,” his family said. “Most of all, Phil’s greatest pleasure was being with family and friends.
“His strength and spirit will be missed by all who knew him.”
Mr. Winn was born in New Britain, Conn., to the late Aaron Benjamin Winn and Etta Anna (Goldstein) Winn.
He graduated New Britain High School and briefly attended Boston University before being drafted into the US Army.
Mr. Winn served in the South Pacific until 1945.
He earned a BS in mathematics from the University of Michigan in 1948.
Mr. Winn met Eleanor (Elle) Feigensohn, the love of his life, at college. They were married for more than 68 years.
The couple initially settled in Seattle, Wash., and moved to Denver in 1956.
Mr. Winn worked for Witkin Homes, serving as senior vice president, 1964-1976. Then he was board chair of Philip D. Winn and Assoc., 1967-1988.
Mr. Winn chaired the Colorado Republican Party, 1979-1981.
In 1981, he was appointed assistant secretary, federal housing commission of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC, under the Reagan administration.
From 1983-1984, he was a member of the Federal National Advisory Council.
Mr. Winn served as US ambassador to Switzerland, 1988-1989.
He considered his and his wife’s association with the Bridge Project at DU’s Graduate School of Social Work one of his greatest accomplishments.
Mr. Winn co-founded the Bridge Project, which lifted thousands of children and youths living in public housing out of poverty, in 1991.
During the project’s long history, he was a top leader, donor, advisor and friend.
Mr. Winn’s numerous accolades included his selection as Man of the Year by the Home Builder’s Assn. in 1971 and the Citizen of the Year award from the Colorado Assn. of Housing and Building in 1981.
Mr. Winn is survived by his wife Elle Winn; children Donna (Wesley) Anderegg and Jordan (Janica) Winn; grandchildren Allegra (Jared) Searcy, Jackson Winn and Izzy Anderegg; and nieces Suzy (Rocky) Miller and Debi (Peter) Miller and nephew Mark (Martha) Pohl.
Contributions may be made to the Bridge Project, c/o DU’s Graduate School of Social Work, 303-871-2704 or [email protected].
Copyright © 2017 by the Intermountain Jewish News
