Walter (Bud) Winzen passed away peacefully on January 19, 2018. He lived a robust and full life for 75 years enjoying the things he loved most: Family, Friends, Business, Golf, Movies, Sports and Travel. He’ll forever be lovingly remembered for his gregarious personality, generosity, humor, praise, and sincerity. His dedication and care of family members, friends and business associates was truly remarkable.

He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife, Debra; dear daughters Laura and Kimberlee Winzen; dear sons David (Meghan) Winzen and Christopher Winzen; dear stepsons Lyle (Sarah) Monzyk and Carl (Erica) Monzyk; dear stepdaughter Lauren (Berto) Garcia; dear brother, Ken Winzen and his late dear brother Donald Winzen. Adored by his 10 grandchildren, Papa Bud loved to joke around with them and never hesitated to get down on the floor when they beckoned for him to play with them.

His big heart will further be missed by numerous brother and sister in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and their children across the country. He had a huge extended family and he worked hard to stay in touch with everyone.

Walter, a gifted storyteller would entertain friends and family about tales of mischief with his loving brothers during his early years in south St. Louis City. Walter graduated in 1961 from St Mary’s High School. He served in the US Army (1962-1964) as a Staff Sergeant E/6 and received the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding service as Communications N.C.O. for the 7th Armor Battalion, 35th Division.

After his military service, he attended Washington University, studying Electrical Engineering and Business while concurrently working at McDonald Douglas (1964-1965) and Sherwood Medical (1965-1971). At McDonald Douglas Aircraft, he proudly worked on the Gemini spacecraft, NASA’s second human spaceflight program conducted between projects Mercury and Apollo. During his five years in the Health and Science Division of Sherwood Medical, his leadership and technical skills were quickly recognized, and he was promoted numerous times. Ultimately, he was assigned to their Precision Systems Division and made Production Manager over their groundbreaking Digecon System that allowed hospitals and medical centers to perform multiple tests and analysis of patient blood samples in minutes rather than requiring days of laboratory work.

In 1971 he began working in the railroad industry for St. Louis Railway Supply, and over the course of the next three decades founded three successful companies that continue to operate and serve the railroad industry across North America: Transportation Products Sales Company (TPSC) in 1986; Automated Railroad Maintenance Systems (ARMS) in 1990; and Railroad Battery Services (RBS) in 2006. Walter was unwavering in his belief that these companies’ sole mission was to solve customer problems and advance the rail industry.

Walter contributed heavily to rail industry associations including AREMA, RSI, and RSSI over the past 37 years. He most recently served as President of the RSSI Board of Directors. Walter cherished his many relationships in the rail industry and worked hard to make everyone around him feel important.

Around his employees, Walter wasn’t known as simply the manager/owner; he was referred to as a friend and an overall genuine person who was filled with experience, advice, praise, humility, kindness, and respect. Roaming the hallways during the workday, Walter greeted every employee warmly and connected with everyone on a personal level. He always lent an ear and supported employees going through a difficult time.

To the very end, he remained a champion of others, praising and encouraging each person to succeed at whatever mattered most to him/her — an A-plus human being who was a shining example of what it is to be a leader in this world.

Services: A celebration of his life is being planned for a later date, to be announced to family, friends and business associates. Memorials may be given to the Arthritis Foundation.