Father Wintermyer served the faithful as a parochial vicar, a hospital and university chaplain, an educator, and a medical practitioner caring for the impoverished and homeless of Washington, D.C., and Maryland throughout his 59 years as a priest. He left the company in 2005 and moved to Pennsylvania.
Father Wintermyer served in different health clinics for the homeless in Washington, D.C., from 1977, when he graduated with a degree in healthcare science from George Washington University until his retirement in 2005.
In a 2006 piece for the Catholic Standard, Father Wintermyer spoke about his efforts. He specialized in homeless foot care and said that witnessing an icon of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples inspired him to pursue a career in podiatry.
“What is seen as a simple medical procedure becomes truly a loving act of mercy to a homeless person” by providing podiatry services in those clinics, he wrote.
Father Wintermyer taught religious instruction and served as chaplain to the D.C. government in addition to his medical and pastoral responsibilities. Prior to moving to Pennsylvania, he worked as a physician assistant at Mercy Clinic in Gaithersburg, Maryland, after retiring.
Father John S. "Jack" Wintermyer, a priest for almost 60 years in the Archdiocese of Washington, died on July 2 at St. Joseph's Villa in Flourtown, Pennsylvania, following a brief illness. He was 85 years old at the time.
Father Wintermyer's Priesthood
John Wintermyer was born on January 22, 1936, in Washington, D.C.; he was the third son. He attended Sacred Heart School and Gonzaga College High School before attending St. Charles Preparatory Seminary in Catonsville, Maryland, and then St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. In May 1962, he has ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Washington.
Before his 1967 appointment as chaplain to Catholic students and employees at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland, he worked as a parish vicar at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Lexington Park, Maryland, and St. Stephen Martyr Parish in Washington, D.C.
He was designated chaplain to Catholic students and employees at George Washington University and assistant in the Office of Continuing Education for Priests a year later.
In 1972, Father Wintermyer earned an MA in adult education from George Washington University. He graduated from the same university in 1977 as a medical assistant. He was also the parish vicar at Washington's Shrine of the Sacred Heart.
In 1979, he spent a year in Thailand with the Georgetown Medical Team. From 1980 until his retirement, Father Wintermyer was the director of Catholic ministry at Washington Hospital Center and the National Rehabilitation Hospital and Children's Hospital. He also served as a Catholic chaplain at George Washington University.
Father Wintermyer started working as a parish vicar at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Washington in 1984 while continuing to serve as a chaplain at those institutions. In 1987, he joined Unity Health Care as a medical assistant, treating homeless patients in different clinics around the District.
Funeral ceremonies and burials were kept private at Father WIntermyer's desire. Christ House, a non-profit organization, is accepting donations in his honor.
