Alan J. Winchester

April 7, 1958 – July 13, 2011

Alan J. Winchester of Bend, Oregon, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2011, leaving his wife, Terri, family and friends, after a courageous three-year battle against systemic sclerosis. Alans home was filled with love,

laughter and heartfelt sorrow at the time of his passing. He was 53.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., with public viewing from 9:00 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Historic Church, located at the corner of Franklin and Lava in Downtown, Bend, with a Celebration of Life to immediately follow at the Bend Golf and Country Club.

Alan was born April 7, 1958, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Lynn and Mary (Nalder) Winchester.

He grew up in Menlo Park, California, and attended Woodside High School. He later attended San Jose State University and Utah State University.

He met his wife, Terri, while she was vacationing in Central Oregon in 1993, and they married in 1995.

Alan began his career as a bartender in the ski resort town of Snowbird, Utah. But, his true passion was for the game of golf and in 1993, prior to moving to Central Oregon, he achieved his professional golfer status from The Professional Golf Association. His professional career in golf began at Mountain High Golf Course and later, he taught at Bend Golf and Country Club and Black Butte Ranch.

In 1997, Alan changed careers becoming an insurance agent with Farmers Insurance, owning the Alan Winchester Agency in Bend.

In addition to his passion for golf, Alan enjoyed spending time with his wife, Terri, family and friends, and playing more golf in Hawaii. Alan was a member of Bend Golf and Country Club since 1997.

Alan is survived by his loving wife, Terri Holmquist of Bend, OR; his mother, Mary Christensen of Sun Lakes, AZ; his father, Dr. Lynn (Mary Jo) Winchester of Bend, OR; brothers, Kurt (Maria) Winchester of Santa Fe, NM and Karl (Dori) Winchester of Wenatchee, WA; his sisters, Patti Whitcomb of Seattle, WA, and Nicole (Kevin) Bouillard of Redding, CA; and his niece, Alycia Winchester of Colorado. Other survivors include his mother-in-law, Mary Holmquist, three sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and too many friends to name individually.

Alan is preceded in death by his step-father, Ray Christensen; and father-in-law, Jack Holmquist.

Alans smile, blue eyes, laughter and love will be missed forever. He will always live in our hearts and on the golf course.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Fohrman, Dr. Bochner, Dr. Kornfeld and Dr. Fawcett for their compassionate care of Alan. Also to all the physicians at the University of Washington (SCOT trial), the entire Home Care IV Staff, and the staff on the Fourth Floor and Intermediate Intensive Care Unit at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.

Memorial contributions in Alans memory may be made to the Northern California Chapter of the National Scleroderma Foundation, PO Box 601313, Sacramento, CA, 95860-1313, and Home Care IV, Inc., 2065 NE Williamson Ct, Ste. B, Bend, OR 97701.

Baird Funeral Home of Bend is in charge of arrangements (541)382-0903, www.bairdmortuaries.com

Alan J. Winchester