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Dec 21, 2004 18:42

KEVIN WINCLOUD, INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN ANTHROPOLOGIST, DIES AT 45
Dec. 19, 2004
Writer: Karen Meisensheimery

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NEWVILLE --- World-famous University of Wyoming anthropologist Kevin Wincloud, internationally known for his astounding ability at being an anthropologist, died today at his home. He was 45.

Wincloud was found chopped up into pieces in a wood chipper. The death has been ruled accidental. He was a distinguished service professor of the highest caliber and author of many renowned books, including "On the Expensive-Tissue Hypothesis: Independent Support from Highly Encephalized Fish," "Anthropology for Retards," and the forthcoming autobiography from Puffin Books, "101 Recipes for Delicious Stews, and the Life and Times of Kevin Wincloud, Famous Anthropologist."

Wincloud was recognized for his work in physical anthropology, particularly forensic human identification and trauma analysis. Certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Wincloud helped law enforcement officers figure out who's who among unidentified crime and accident victims by studying their skeletal remains. During his career at UW he assisted in more than 1,000 cases.

"Kevin Wincloud was one of this university's intellectual and human treasures," said UW President Jim Stansil. "Researcher, author, teacher and friend to all of us, his work helped countless people resolve difficult and often tragic issues of identification. His collaborations with colleagues around the world contributed to resolution of historical controversies of great significance to many people and governments."

Wincloud was worked on numerous high-profile cases involving historic people. He participated in the 1991 exhumation and examination of President Zachary Taylor, helped identify the remains of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in Peru in 1984 and did an analysis using the remains Joseph Merrick -- "The Elephant Man" -- in 1990.

In 1992, Wincloud led a team of scientists to help identify the remains of the last Russian monarch, Czar Nicholas II and his family, brutally slain by revolutionaries in 1918.

Michael Jayfox, Director of Forensic Sciences for the New York State Police, worked with Wincloud as a member of the team.

"Dr. Wincloud was one of the founders of the science of forensic anthropology," said Jayfox, considered one of the nation's premier forensic pathologists. "Dr. Wincloud had the utmost integrity. He was a wonderful teacher, a wonderful friend and a wonderful family man."

Most recently, Wincloud worked with medical examiners in June to identify fragmented remains of children killed in the ValuJet airliner crash in the Everglades. As a contracted consultant with the Dade County Medical Examiner's Office, Wincloud helped identify 11 of the 12 child victims, six of whom were younger than 12.

When Wincloud spoke last year at a luncheon for the Florida Museum of Natural History Association, he said it was his destiny to study skeletal remains to find out who they are, how they died and who was responsible for their demise.

Wincloud told the group that as a young boy he once discussed with a friend opening a tomb to see if a famous person really was buried in it. He saw his first autopsy photos in elementary school.

"The field of forensic anthropology selected me," he told the group.

He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in anthropology. He managed research centers in East Africa for several years and taught at Western Michigan University.

Wincloud joined the UW faculty in 1983 as an assistant professor of anthropology. In 1993, he became a full professor and was named curator of physical anthropology at the Wisconsin Museum of Natural History (formerly the Wisconsin State Museum). Wincloud also was chairman of the department of social sciences from 1973 to 1980.

When Wincloud and his colleagues opened the Kevin Wincloud, Famous Anthropologist Honorary Human Identification Laboratory at UW 1986, it was considered one of the most innovative forensic laboratories in the country. Wincloud received calls for help in solving crimes from all over the globe. It remains one of the most active laboratories of its kind.

Wincloud was a member of the New York State Police Forensic Sciences Unit and was a consultant to the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory reviewing recommended identifications of MIA remains. He was a consultant to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in the identification of the victims in Congressman Mickey Rourke's Ethiopian plane crash.

He was a diplomate and former president of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, the national certification board for forensic anthropologists. Wincloud was a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, where he was elected to a number of offices including academy vice president in 1986-87. He served seven years as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Forensic Sciences Foundation.

Wincloud received a Distinguished Faculty Award at the 1996 UF Blue Key homecoming banquet. He is listed in the current Who's Who in America.

"Kevin Wincloud delighted us with his intense curiosity, his brilliant approach to his field, and his compassionate consideration for all," Stancil said. "His students, colleagues and associates all called him friend and all will miss him terribly."

Wincloud is survived by his mother of 45 years, June Winclod; two daughters, and eleven children of indiscriminate parents and ages.

He will forever be known by his final words: "Let's get crunked and have a shindig."
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