James Harold Winterhalter

WINTERHALTER, James Harold, age 93, of Centerville passed away on May 23, 2013. Major James H. Winterhalter was born on September 20, 1919. James graduated as Valedictorian of the Birdsboro, PA High School Class of 1937. After receiving his Chemistry Degree from Albright College, James joined the Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet at Yale University. He was commissioned as an Air Force Officer and served in World War II in the Pacific on Canton Island, then in the Philippines and Occupied Japan. In post-war Japan, he served as a Chemical Investigator on General MacArthur's Staff, for GHQ Technical Intelligence in Tokyo. James traveled throughout Japan reporting on Japanese industrial activities ensuring compliance with conditions of the surrender. Through his GHQ work, James was able to interview and work with many leaders of Japanese Industry including Baron Mitsui and Soichiro Honda. J ames continued to serve during the Korean War with the 5th Air Force in Japan, and during the Vietnam War with the Foreign Technology Division of Wright-Patterson in Tokyo, Japan. During his years at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base he served as a Research and Development Officer in various laboratories. As a lifelong student of science, James continued studies at the University of Pennsylvania, University Delaware and Wright State receiving two advanced degrees. After 26 years of military service, James retired to teaching science and chemistry classes at Central Junior High and Park Hills High School in Fairborn. James was an avid golfer, owning to his start as a caddy at the Reading PA Country Club while Byron Nelson was the resident club pro. James married his Japanese sweetheart in Osaka, Japan in 1947, once the US Government lifted the ban on marrying Japanese Citizens. Married 60 years, James and Asa Winterhalter have a son, James Kurt Winterhalter of Centerville and three grandchildren Hans, Gretchen, and Christian. Services will be private.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429

Service:
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429
Saturday, June 1, 2013
No Services