Richard Winterbauer | Obit

Richard Hill Winterbauer

June 11, 1936- July 7, 2026

On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in the only house he ever owned, near the only woman he ever loved, Richard Hill Winterbauer left his self-described “delightful” life with the same grit, grace and gratitude he lived it.

It began nine decades and eighteen days earlier, in and around Evanston, Illinois, where Richard was born and raised lovingly by Hank and Louise Winterbauer, and to no small degree, his much-adored, somewhat protective older sister, Joan. Not that he needed safeguarding. At nearly 13 pounds, he was formidable upon arrival and only grew more so—by his late teens, six feet and nearly 190 pounds of country strong, honors student, national shot put champion, and Yale-bound football star. In New Haven, while continuing to excel in class and on the field (All Ivy League, 100th Anniversary All-Yale Bowl Team) he met a beautiful, intelligent woman from Wisconsin by way of Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart—Dianna Marie Heuer. After an awkward introduction at a dance, initiated by Richard, they fell hard and forever and quickly set about building their future: marriage, medical school (Johns Hopkins University Medical School), residency (Johns Hopkins Hospital), three sons, a golden retriever and possibly Richard’s favorite child, Our Lady Amber (yes, that was her name), and relocation to Mercer Island in 1969 to begin what would become a lifelong career with Virginia Mason Medical Center (VMMC) and otherwise establish new roots.

For the next 30 years, Richard spent his days caring for patients and training new generations of physicians (many of whom later cared for him), and his evenings caring for his family, all while attending a ridiculous number of tennis tournaments, swim meets, and other kid activities regardless of date, time, or location, arranging family vacations to the Midwest and the Oregon Coast, and trying to keep his composure when counseling his sons regarding their indiscriminate snack bar charges at the Mercer Island Country Club, their home away from home. Somehow, he also found time to Chair VMMC’s Pulmonary Section, author or co-author dozens of peer-reviewed articles, and accrue several other professional accolades. In1998, at 62, he retired to focus exclusively on fun, including golf (fun?), three-generation tennis, Kauai, and family, particularly his five grandchildren. No words moved him more than, “I love you, Grandpa” (though “The Seahawks are Super Bowl champions!” came close).

Richard lived simply, steadily, and with purpose. He knew what he liked, especially medicine, sports, animals, children, Dianna’s singing and painting, peanut M & M’s, Westerns, musicals, and county fairs. He knew who he loved, especially his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and spouses, great grandchildren, and, above all, Dianna (and maybe Amber). And he rejected distractions with a dismissive “Phooey!” (Almost a curse word in his vocabulary.) He was formal, kind, understated, optimistic, humble, and dependable, with a surprisingly silly sense of humor (think “Airplane” and “The Naked Gun”). His life, particularly of late, was not without challenge, but he knew and never forgot that he was blessed. He passed as he lived, content and thankful, and for the family that loved him, both anchor and compass.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his sister. He is survived by his soul mate and wife of 68 years, Dianna; his eldest son Michael and his wife Renee; his middle son Steven and his wife Ann Marie; his youngest son Andrew and his wife Andrea; five grandchildren (Christopher, Jessica, Stephanie, Alyssa, and Amanda); five great grandchildren (Hannah, Eleanor, Margot, Ezra, and Natalie); and two nephews and a niece (Jeff, Jay and Katie) and their respective spouses and children.

A celebration of life will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Virginia Mason Medical Center General Fund, the Benaroya Research Institute General Fund, or another worthy cause or service of your choice, or, better yet from Richard’s perspective, just pet a dog, hug a loved one, or be with family or friends while rooting for your favorite sports team, provided it’s the Seahawks or the Mariners.