Ink Industry Mourns George Winandy

George J. Winandy, a longtime ink and varnish industry leader, passed away recently. He was 82.

Winandy grew up in Chicago and graduated from DePaul Academy, Marquette University and earned his MBA at York University in Toronto, Canada. His career in the ink industry included Lawter Chemicals and BASF, before he began SR Premier, a varnish company, along with Al Stressen Reuter in 1981. He sold the business to Akzo Nobelm and retired soon after. After he retired, he continued his commitment to higher education by funding many scholarships in math and science studies.

Central Ink chemist John Larson and Chris Halvorsen, senior account manager at Sartomer, both worked at SR Premier, and spoke highly of Winandy.

“At George’s wake, George’s son Paul told the story of when he asked his dad why he wanted to start his own company. George told him it was the best next thing to do,” Larson said. “He enjoyed making the company successful, and sunk all of his profits back into the company.

“George listened to his customers, helped his fellow ink suppliers, dealt fairly with our suppliers and treated his employees very well,” Larson added.

“I met George in 1983,” Halvorsen said. “I was 23, and I had worked in the ink industry for four years. George asked if I would like to work with him. He liked what I did in the lab, and he wanted me to show him how to test varnish and ink.

“George was a really brilliant guy, a great chemist and an outstanding salesman,” Halvorsen added. “He was a lifelong friend and remained a mentor to me. He always did the right thing.”

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Christine (nee Fosco); their daughters Lynne Gassmann and Sharon Johlie; son Paul; and three grandchildren.