Roger Winter was an advocate and humanitarian. He was born in Connecticut but spent most of his life in Maryland.

Winter served as the Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and also worked at the State Department as Deputy Secretary, Special Representative for Sudan. Winter testified at Congressional Hearings on Sudan.  He was the Executive Director at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) for two decades. At USCRI, Winter continued his tireless advocacy work for the people of Sudan, South Sudan, Rwanda, Congo, and many others.

During the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, Winter risked his life by traveling to Rwanda. In 2010 he was awarded the National Liberation Medal (Uniti) and Rwanda’s Campaign Against Genocide Medal (Umurinzi). He was a passionate and vocal eyewitness about the humanitarian crisis.

Winter spent his life helping others. He traveled extensively, reporting about refugees and oppressed minorities in many parts of the world, particularly Africa. As a result of his tireless efforts, he was named an Honorary Citizen of South Sudan in December 2021. Roger led a remarkable life of service. He was known as “Uncle Roger” and young professionals working with refugees and survivors of war routinely sought his advice and wisdom.

Winter was buried on February 4, 2023, in Columbia, Maryland. His family will hold a Memorial Service at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 5500 River Road, Bethesda, Maryland, on February 18, 2023.

USCRI offers its condolences to Winter’s family and friends.