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Dr. Forneyt D. Winner
October 1, 2010
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Dr. Forney D. Winner, "Fred", of Dunedin, Fla., passed away on Tuesday
, Sept. 28, 2010, at his residence.
Fred was born in Lock Haven on Feb. 7, 1913, the fourth child of Forne
y L. and True Probst Winner.
In the seventh grade, his mother gave him a 20-pound Webster's diction
ary and some literary classics from which he developed an intellectua
l curiosity that he pursued the rest of his life.
At Lock Haven High School, he was an outstanding debater and was presi
dent of his senior class. The descriptive line in his yearbook said h
e was "someone to look up to" and considering his height at 6 feet 2 i
ches and his intellectual prowess, it described him perfectly.
He studied at Dartmouth and Tulane Universities, and graduated in 193
6 from Penn State with a BA in Science and an MS in Psychology. Whil
e preparing to get a graduate degree in Education, a friend gave him a
application to Hahnemann Medical School. He was accepted easily an
d concurrently studied studio art and worked on a PH.D in Education a
t Temple University and Penn State. Fred graduated from Hahnemann Medi
cal School in 1940 and PA University in Graduate Surgery in 1941, spec
ializing in nephrology.
His first position was in Norton, Virginia, a coal country town. Her
e he began writing his first book, the novel Surgeons Blue Coal, a fic
titious account of people intertwined in the medical profession, passi
on and psychosis. Years later, he wrote a book titled Genetic Basis o
f Society, and then a satire called Extinction, in which many of the c
haracters were his beloved cocker spaniels.
Returning to Lock Haven in 1945, Fred practiced surgery in his hometow
for 21 years. Many residents of Clinton County were grateful for hi
s remarkable skill and expertise.
He held numerous patents on inventions of surgical instruments.
Contributing to the dining and entertainment culture in Lock Haven, h
e converted the Campus Corner snack shop into a specialty foods stor
e offering delicacies like chocolate covered grasshoppers. In the 1960
's the Opera Bop nightclub was the place to go for young adults for da
cing and music.
He opened and supervised the famous Locks Restaurant, offering sophist
icated dining in a historic setting filled with Indian artifacts tha
t he hunted and collected.
In 1942, Fred married Laura Hill who also became a surgeon. They divor
ced in 1945.
Fred is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Bierly, whom he married i
1955. She was his nurse, assisting him in surgery. She was also hi
s companion and partner for 55 years of traveling around the world, st
udying Spanish, German, and French, exploring special interests, and a
ssisting in the purchase of real estate and business ventures.
Early in his life, outdoor pursuits at the family lodge, the Mohawk ne
ar Caldwell, and their cabin at Riverview were common. Later, dancin
g and good food, along with courses in anthropology and scientific dis
ciplines were hobbies both enjoyed. His land holdings in Clinton, Cent
e and Clearfield counties stimulated his curiosity in geology, archeo
logy and oil and gas exploration. At one point, he owned 30,000 acres.
Fred Winner was a man who got the very most out of a long and incredib
ly interesting life.
He is also survived by four nieces and three nephews, Shirley Lou Winn
er Kennedy, Frederica Winner Claster, True Talley Fisher, Elizabeth Ta
lley Piper, Louis Winner Jr., Howard Miller and Forney Miller.
His parents, two sisters, Isabel Miller and Katherine Talley, and a br
other, Louis S. Winner Sr., all of Lock Haven, preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be at the Helt Funeral Chapel, 232 Hogan Blvd.
, Mill Hall, on Tuesday, Oct. 5, at noon. Friends and relatives will b
e received one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be at Highland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ross Library, the Cli
ton County SPCA, or the charity of your choice.
Send condolences at bestlifetributes.com
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