Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Wingate, John |
Places of residence |
P.O. Box 71, TSR 95497; has been at the Sea Ranch since 1969. John first visited the coast in the 1960s at Barking Rocks and then moved to TSR in the 1970s and built his first home on Pacific Reach. |
Titles & honors |
Sea Rancher of the Year, 1993 Lifetime Achievement Award 2010 from TSRA John did not like the spotlight. He spoke in a soft voice and sat in the back row at every play. He observed everything around him, and then took care of those things he felt important, and not just here on the coast. He provided scholarships in HVAC and Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo. In his partnership with Carol, they have funded the David Palmer Scholarships at the San Francisco Ballet School since 2000. They also donated regularly to the Aurora Theater in Berkeley. |
Notes |
He has taped Association meetings for those who could not attend, designed and installed a water system for the Posh Squash Garden, furnished materials and installed the copper rain gutters at the Association; redesigned and helped installation of solar systems at Moonraker and North Rec. Centers; taped and edited proceedings of Halprin Workshops; Provided service and equipment to The Sea Ranch Amateur Radio Auxiliary; Assisted in the restoration and maintenance of the Del Mar Schoolhouse and the Secret Place; Made his airplane available for mercy flights to Santa Rosa; Lent his truck for hauling all manner of things; designed and built a smoke ventilation system for the TSRVFD barbecues; volunteered to help design the heating system for the new Gualala Arts Center Sea Rancher Randy Burke wrote his poem in John's honor: "His light lit up the shadowed corners, His humble giving helped us to see. I smile, knowing that his life made a ripple in the universe." John and his partner Carol Emoiy developed and funded TSR Thespians, which has now produced thirty plays. They provided the means to acquire a stage, risers, a professional curtain system, and all the accoutrement of a professional operation. Even though ailing, John purchased, in time for the September 2013 play, new LED lights for the barn productions, as well as a state-of- the-art lighting board. This was typical of the kind of thing John did, to provide for what might be needed even after he was gone. John loved a challenge, too. He led in his inobtrusive way supporting solor power locally by installing it in his own home many years ago, and got approval for the use of golf carts within TSR. He worked on an early watering system for the Posh Squash garden, provided the copper rain gutters for the TSRA office, helped repair and make functional the solar water systems at Moonraker and North Rec Centers, and provided copper flashing to help restore the Point Arena Lighthouse. But perhaps his biggest challenge and final ambition was to design and create a revolving stage for the Barn. He watched as the barn crew built it. It worked beautifully, garnering applause from the audience at its debut performance in "Proof" in September 2011. |
Occupation |
John's background is in mechanical and electrical engineering which he used in years of contracting, manufacturing and small business ownership. His heating, plumbing and ventilation business was in Riverside, where his son Todd still resides. John has provided our barn/theatre with equipment equal to or better than many professional theatres--computer- -controlled lighting, sound and projection. He has provided tools and supplies for set building as well as electrical upgrades to the barn systems. Ten years of working with the very dedicated barn crew on the rehab of the barn gave John an intimate knowledge of the structure, including the electrical and mechanical systems. During his over twenty year work and generosity concerning the Barn project, he saw a need to re-engineer the walls and roof for safety and simplicity, so he funded the engineer to do the work. When he saw that professional carpenters were needed to do the dangerous roof reframing work, he asked l ocal contractors to loan their best men, and John paid their wages while they worked. He also provided all the necessary copper flashing. |
Relationships |
Partnered with Carol Emory in developing and funding theSea Ranch Thespians. They provided means to acquire a stage, risers, a professional curtain system and all the accoutrement of a professional operation. |
Role |
Construction |
Spouse |
Carol Emory was John's longtime partner. They developed and funded Thespians. |
Children |
Todd |
