Obituary: Harold Windle

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 436, 12 May 1992, Page 8

Obituary: Harold Windle

The sudden death of Harold John Windle, a well known and highly respeeted Raetihi farmer, occurred at his home on 12 April. Harold's courage and popularity was demonstrated by the large number of people who came to pay their last respects. Harold was born at Raetihi on 23 December 1922. His father Arthur John Windle was a solicitor and his mother Mabel Moana (Wi) was of Ngati Ruaka ancestry. They lived at Ameku Road and then Seddon Street, along with his two sisters Joan and Barbara. Harold went to Raetihi Primary, Ohakune High School and then one term at Wanganui Technical College. On leaving school he worked on Mr Bob Cothart's farm at Huikumu. During the second World War Harold enlisted with the Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifle Squadron, went overseas with 10th Reinforcement and posted to Divisional Cavalry in Egypt and Italy where he was injured in March 1944 and invalided home. While recuperating he spent a considerable time working with Harold Bowater in his saddlery shop where he enjoyed making Mexican saddles.

When fit again he did casual farm work and fencing until his marriage to Helen Jean Oliver in 1948. They moved to their present farm at Middle Road in 1950 where their four children were brought up. His love of the outdoor life was evident by the many deer-stalking safaris he made into the Kaimanawa Ranges. He was actively involved in many organisations. Harold was a founding member then president of the Waimarino Rodeo Association for 21 years before being made a life, member. He was also a life and founding member of the New Zealand Rodeo Association. He , was a keen rider and later judged throughout the North Island and maintained his interest in rodeo all his life. Harold was on the committee and an instructor of the Middle Road Pony Club and an active committee member on the Waimarino A

& P Show Association for 20 years. A life member of the W aimarino Club and Waimarino Golf Club where he served on the committee before becoming the handicapper for 24 years, a position he still held at the time of his death. In 1967 Harold fractured his spine as a result of a riding accident. He was in Wanganui and Duncan hospitals for nearly nine months. In spite of being partially paralysed he still rode and farmed after his accident until he broke his hip nearly 15 years ago which slowed him down further. His great courage in conquering his disability won him the admiration of the whole community. After his accident Harold played golf by strapping himself into a special harness attached to the side-car of his bike to hold himself upright while playing a shot. The last ten years of his life were devoted to the breeding of Santa Gertrudis cattle in partnership with his son Greg and daughter-in-law Chris. He is survived by his wife Jean, daughter Gail, three sons Don, Gary an4 Greg and seven grandchildren.