June 13, 2025
By Ashley Ritchie
The Georgia Tech community mourns the passing of Ward O. Winer, a distinguished Regents’ Professor Emeritus in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, who passed away on May 25, 2025, at the age of 88. Winer’s contributions to mechanical engineering and his unwavering dedication to Georgia Tech have left an indelible mark on the Institute and its people.
Winer began his academic career at the University of Michigan. In 1969, he came to Georgia Tech, where he spent nearly 40 years until his retirement in 2008. From 1989 to 2008, Winer was the longest-serving chair of the Woodruff School. After retirement, he was asked to return as the interim chair of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering for a year, and he continued part-time at Tech until 2019. He maintained his involvement on national and international boards until 2023.
"Ward was instrumental in elevating the School’s academic and research programs. His tenure was marked by a commitment to excellence and a vision that strengthened the School’s standing within Georgia Tech and the broader engineering community,” said Devesh Ranjan, Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. School Chair and professor.
Winer’s research spanned tribology, fluid mechanics, high-pressure rheology, lubrication, thermomechanics, and machinery diagnostics. Notably, he led a Department of Defense (DoD) Multi-University Research Initiative focused on integrated diagnostics of machinery, a testament to his innovative approach to engineering challenges. Other research projects under Winer's direction were funded by companies from the petrochemical industry, the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Office of Naval Research, and the DoD.
Winer's distinguished academic career was marked by numerous honors and awards, including election to the National Academy of Engineering in 1988 and as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, underscoring his profound impact on his field. He also received the Georgia Tech Distinguished Professor Award and the Sigma Xi Monie A. Ferst Memorial Award for Sustained Research.
Beyond his professional achievements, Winer was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He and his wife, Mary Jo, shared a life rich in experiences, including raising four children and welcoming 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Their partnership was a cornerstone of his personal life, reflecting the same dedication and care he brought to his professional endeavors.
Winer’s legacy is one of mentorship, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. His influence will continue to inspire future generations of engineers and educators, and his impact on Georgia Tech and the field of mechanical engineering will be felt for many years to come.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 20, at 2:00 p.m., at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, located at 11330 Woodstock Road in Roswell, Georgia. The service will be followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ward O. Winer Faculty Professional Development Fund at the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech.
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