John Haskell Winstead

John Haskell Winstead, age 82, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2023 due to respiratory failure. He was born on July 30, 1941 in San Jose, California to Haskell and Frances Winstead.

John attended school in Mountain View, California, including Escuela, Highway School, and graduated from Mountain View High School in 1959. He served in the US Navy and attended Bootcamp in San Diego, California. He was Honor Man of his Navy Recruit Company. After graduation, he was assigned to the USS Independence and later the USS Coral Sea as an Electricians Mate. He was very fortunate to have seen much of the World during his deployments. John made many friends in the Navy. One that would endure the test of time, was a true friend and shipmate named Brian Lyttle, their friendship continued to this day. After being honorably discharged in 1962, he returned home to marry his sweetheart from the 7th grade, Judy Barrick. They were married for 62 years. Continuing his education after the military, he attended Foothill College and studied Electrical Engineering. This is where his career began, working in research at Stanford University. John would then go on to have a 37-year career working with Dr. Rodney Perkins. John held a position as Managing Director of Project Hear, then went on to work at Hear America, ReSound, Earlens, and California Ear Institue. He was grateful for the career and the friendships of all those he worked with. During his last days, Dr. Perkins was so kind to ensure he received the best care possible.

John loved his work but also loved his time away. He was fortunate to have three weeks every year to vacation in Oregon. Fishing at Diamond Lake, Paulina and Cow Camp were some of his favorites. Let’s not forget Pinecrest, where friends and family gave him the nickname “Johnbob.” Other vacations included National Parks, trips to Minnesota, Hawaii, Alaska and several trips overseas. One of his favorite trips was a fly-in guided fishing trip in Alaska. Some of the family's favorite memories were the trips with kids and grandkids to Hawaii, Disneyland, Disney World, Norway, Australia, and Lake Tahoe. The family's annual Christmas celebration at Sunriver Resort will always be cherished. Over the years, John was always eager to learn something new, from making jewelry, an upholstery class, and various woodworking projects. As a perfectionist, his home and yard were always well-kept and perfectly manicured. John was also known for helping others. He was considered a jack of all trades and was always eager to lend a helping hand to friends or family. Pretty sure there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do. He was a very generous man, but his family always took priority. He was a member of the ELKS Club for several years and most recently, a member of the Band of Brothers in Bend, Oregon.

In 2007, John and Judy decided to sell their beautiful home of 47 years in Sunnyvale, California to be closer to their kids and grandkids in Bend, Oregon. Their spare time would now be spent with their grandchildren, Madison, McKenzie, Jake, and Savana. John spent his time on the soccer fields, volleyball courts, and at softball games. He was always the kid's biggest fan. Numerous trips over the pass to Portland, Medford, Eugene, and the occasional Reno trip kept him busy. As kids, we always appreciated the parents taking us to the mountains to ski or driving us to Santa Cruz to hang out at the beach. He volunteered with Camp Fire Girls, helping out at church school and raising money for various school activities to name a few. He also spent time at the Sons of Norway helping to make Lefse. John was always there for the kids and grandkids. He would do anything for them.

John’s other interests included 50’s era hot rods, fishing, reading stories about the Old West and Indian culture. He loved to relax with a game of cribbage and an occasional old-fashioned cocktail or rum and coke. Recently, John had a passion and interest in family ancestry and has been trying to document this information to pass along to future generations.

So many wonderful friends from growing up in Mtn View, Sunnyvale neighbor friends, baseball friends, work friends, and then new friends in Bend. Until the end, he tried keeping in touch and always cherished these relationships. Also, know there are many to greet him in heaven.

John is survived by his wife Judith (Judy), two children, Julie Mueller (Kurt) and Jeff Winstead (Kristi), four grandchildren, Madison Mueller, McKenzie Mueller, Jake and Savana Winstead, his sister, Pamela Young (Richard), his sister in law, Janet Winstead, cousins Hurchell Winstead and Ida Mathies, numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Haskell and Frances, his sister Kay, and his brother Gregory.

Although John will be greatly missed by so many, it brings peace knowing he is in heaven with so many family and friends and is healed.

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A Presentation of Colors private service will be held in Bend at Pilot Butte Cemetary

Celebration of Life will be scheduled for a future date.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Partners in Care Hospice Home of Bend.

Memorials may be made in John’s memory to the Hospice Home of Bend / Partners in Care Attn: Development 2075 NE Wyatt Ct Bend, OR 97701 or Bend Band of Brothers-Bend Chapter