The Woodward Alumni Hall of Fame Association
Dr. Daniel J. Winarski Inducted 2015 - Class of 1966
It has often been said that high school provides the foundation for an individual's future achievement. In Dan’s circumstance WHS was but a respite. Balanced against Dan’s trombone ability in freshman band and his induction into the Senior Honor Society his junior year was the dubious honor of being sold for a record low at Woodward's Senior Latin Slave auction. And, in between the highs and lows of his high school years, were glimmer's of brilliance coupled with genius.
After graduating from the University of Michigan with Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Dan was welcomed into the 307th Engineering Battalion, as a member of the 82nd Airborne Rangers, with a career high of twenty-two parachute jumps, once breaking both ankles. To further his education Dan joined the reserves in 1972, culminating with a PhD with honors (Pi Tau Sigma) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1976. His thesis formed the framework for the curved foot prosthesis.
Continuing his education Dan earned a three year Fellowship with the National Science Foundation culminating with a twenty year teaching career at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. During his tenure at West Point, Dan also found the time to graduate from the U.S. Naval War College in 1990. Dan retired from the U.S. Corps of Engineers as a Lt. Colonel with a "Secret" clearance. Dan also earned a Masters in Electrical Engineering in 2001 from the National Technological University.
During, or along with, his teaching career Dan joined IBM. His career with the computer giant was enhanced with the addition of 369 World Wide patents that covered the advanced technology concerned with informational storage and retrieval, laser control for DVD drives, automated tape and optical libraries, and other related items. During his spare time Dan published 252 articles for IBM's Technical Disclosure Bulletin and ten articles for professional engineering journals.
In his retirement Dan has received two Gold, three Silver, and two Bronze Presidential Volunteer Service awards for his work with the Native Americans of Arizona. He has been praised for introducing electrical engineering applications to the Papago, Navajo, Pasqua Yaqui , and Hopi middle and high school students. His volunteerism has also resulted in computer hardware grants and cash awards to the above mentioned schools, concluding with a $10,000 IBM Centennial Grant to Baboquivari High School for an on campus photovoltaic array.
Dan married Donna Robinson, WHS Class of 1966, at Adrian College in 1970. Donna is a retired librarian from the Tucson area, and their son, Tyson, is a patent attorney with Intellectual Ventures in California. Together they enjoy hiking through California's Muir Woods and along Grand Canyon's South Rim.