Wentworth Vail “Winky” Harned, 89, passed away on March 30, 2025, in Williamsburg, Virginia. Born on June 10, 1935, at State College, Mississippi, he was preceded in death by his parents Dr. and Mrs. Horace H. Harned, Sr., and five siblings: Anne Harned, Arthur R. Harned, Horace. H. Harned, Jr., Helen Downer, and Agnes Harned. The Harned family lived on the campus of State College (now Mississippi State University). Winky attended Starkville public schools, graduating from Starkville High School in 1953.
He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geology. During his time at Mississippi State, he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He later earned a Master of Science in Geology from the University of Mississippi in 1960.
Following his graduate studies, Winky’s professional journey took him to Arlington, Virginia, where he met Marilynn Brown in 1964. They married the following year, in 1965. Together, they had two children: Alexandra Rice Harned, born in 1969, and Edward Nathan Harned, born in 1971.
His career spanned three decades in the field of oceanography, with extensive travel as a part of his work. From 1961 to 1975, he worked as a civilian scientist with the U.S. Navy on naval ships, directing marine geophysical surveys. In 1975, Winky relocated his family to Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he took a position with the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy. He later worked at the Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
In 1980, Winky and his family returned to Arlington, Virginia, where he worked for the Office of Naval Ocean Research and Development Activity. His final role was as the U.S. National Liaison Officer to the NATO SACLANT Undersea Research Centre in La Spezia, Italy. Winky retired in 1991 after a distinguished career in oceanographic research.
Winky and Marilynn enjoyed extensive travel, often embarking on biking and hiking trips. He was also a devoted fan of the Washington Redskins (now Commanders), holding season tickets since the 1960s. His love for the outdoors was evident in his passion for hunting and fishing, a joy he shared with his grandson, Emory.
Winky is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Marilynn Brown Harned; his children, Alexandra Harned of Cookeville, Tennessee, and Nathan Harned (Courtney), along with their son, Emory Nathan Harned of Melfa, Virginia; and his nieces and nephew.
At a later date, his remains are to be interred at Oddfellows Cemetery in Starkville, Mississippi.
Memorials may be made through the Mississippi State University Foundation and designated for The Harned Memorial Scholarship in Microbiology. Commitments may be made online at www.msufoundation.com or checks payable to the MSU Foundation Inc. may be mailed to P. O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762.