Robert Winship

Winship
Robert J.
Age 92
Passed away and lifted up by Angels peacefully on June 21, 2019, three days after we sang happy birthday to him. Preceded in death by his first wife, Karen; second wife, Peggy; brother, Jim; and sister, Jeanne Bray. Survived by his son, Roger (Julie) and his daughter, Christine Rogosheske (Paul); six grandchildren; Alex, Anna, Emily, Charlie, Benjamin, Henry, and eight great grandchildren.

Bob received his bachelor degree from the University of Minnesota and was a varsity swimmer. He was proud to be a Son of the Revolution (SOR) and enlisted in the Navy during the Korean War; fulfilling his active duty requirement of two years on the USS Heyliger DE 5 10 destroyer escort. He was a sports enthusiast who sailed competitively as a member of the White Bear Yacht Club, skied the mountains and lived in Aspen for a time, played tennis, enjoyed fly fishing, and had a passion for bird hunting with this prized dog companions.

Bob had an immense respect and love for nature, and built his final home and studios nestled between two ponds in North Oaks, Minnesota. He retired from Paine Webber & Company and a career in finance to pursue his lifelong ambition of being a wildlife artist. Originally a woodcarver, he transitioned his artistic skill into bronze sculpture, adopting the 6000 year old “lost wax” casting process from the Indus Valley of south Asia. This enabled him to capture the world of wildlife, of which he was so enthralled, with the desired intricacy needed to achieve what he believed was perfection. He was self-educated in this respect and a student of the fine art of patination; distinguishing him from other metal sculptors. His favorite subjects were birds; doves, owls, ducks, geese, swans, quail, pheasant, eagles, hawks, song birds and butterflies. Wintering in Sanibel Island, where he duplicated his art studio, Bob captured the beauty of the egret, heron, bittern, skimmer and other tropical birds. He loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who are also subjects of his artistic creation, in addition to Native Americans, buffalo, horses and the many different dog breeds. His work has been commissioned by major corporations, featured at prestigious art shows throughout the nation, presented to heads of state, found in art collections in Canada, Italy , Australia, Germany, Britain, Mexico, many memorials, and recipient of numerous awards. This man was all consumed by the joy of what he was meant to do in life, and worked like a Trojan from pre-dawn until early evening every day of his artistic life of over 50 years. Bob had an unusually keen perception of the world and a true appreciation for all forms of life. He was a man of faith, fascinated by the heavenly starlit nights, deeply touched by all of God's earthly creation, and an inspiration to his family and all those who knew him through his work. He was blessed with the gift of seeing the world in all its glory, and an artistic talent for capturing and preserving it in a lasting art form. This is his legacy which will endure through time forever, God rest his soul.

Memorial Service will be held at Roselawn Cemetery Chapel, 803 Larpenteur  Ave. W., Roseville, MN. 55113 on August 27 at 12:00 Noon , Private Family Internment to Follow.

Donations will be gratefully received by Audubon Minnesota at https://mn.audubon.org/ , or by check to Audubon Minnesota 1 W Water St. Ste 200 St Paul Minnesota 55107.