Winfred Pleasants Minter

Dr. Winfred (Win) Pleasants Minter, Professor Emeritus, Davidson College, peacefully passed away at age 98 surrounded by his family on November 5, 2014. A long-time resident of Davidson, he was born on Feb. 4, 1916 in Blacksburg, Va., the second son of Erma Weiford and Silas Respes (Rep) Minter. Raised in Blacksburg, he graduated from Virginia Tech in 1938 before joining the Army Reserve and serving in the Pacific Theater in Australia and New Caledonia from 1941 - 1945 during WWII. In 1945, he began his life-long calling as a teacher at The University of the South, where he met and married Virginia Brown in Chattanooga. After earning a PhD from the University of Chicago, he taught economics at Colorado State University in Fort Collins for four years before moving to Davidson, where he spent the rest of his career as a professor of political science at Davidson College. He prepared and advised countless students for careers in law and maintained connections with a number of them through the years. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Virginia, and is survived by his three children, Hope Minter Wilson (Bill), of Marietta, Ga., Winfred (Win) Pleasants Minter Jr., and Sarah Minter Ashcraft (Hugh) of Charlotte, six grandchildren, six great grandchildren and one niece. Those who knew and loved him will always treasure his wit, gentle spirit, humble nature, deep intellect and compassion for others. He never meet a pun he didn't like. A service celebrating his life will be held at 4 pm on Sunday, November 9, 2014, at The Davidson United Methodist Church with visitation immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Davidson United Methodist Church or the Native American Heritage Association at www.naha-inc.org. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends may offer condolences to the family at www.raymerfh.com.