# Roger Windels

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**Roger A. Windels** (born 18 May 1924 in [Emelgem](/source/Emelgem) - died 13 November 1996 in [Bruges](/source/Bruges)) was a [Belgian](/source/Belgium), [Flemish](/source/Flanders) [politician](/source/Politician) who served as the mayor of the [West-Flemish](/source/West_Flanders) [city](/source/City) of [Torhout](/source/Torhout), Senator for the Bruges District and Flemish council member.

## Early Life

Windels studied [history](/source/History) in [Ghent](/source/Ghent_University) and following his graduation, he worked as a teacher in the Normaalschool in Torhout. Windels married Maria Rammant on 29 July 1948,[1] and the couple went on to have four children. From 1958 to 1968, Windels served as the [chairman](/source/Chair_(officer)) of the NCMV (National [Christian](/source/Christianity) [Middle class](/source/Middle_class) [Union](/source/Trade_union)) and was the founder and provincial chairman, from 1960 to 1995, of the Training Institute for independent professions and [self-employed](/source/Self-employment) [entrepreneurs](/source/Entrepreneurship) in [West-Flanders](/source/West_Flanders) (now known as [Syntra-West](/source/Syntra-West)). In 1963, Windels was one of the founders of the *Technische School voor Brood- en Banketbakkerij*, which later became known as the [Ter Groene Poorte](/source/Ter_Groene_Poorte) [culinary school](/source/Cooking_school) in [Bruges](/source/Bruges). He also served as the principal of the Vrije Handelsinstituut in Bruges.[2]

## Political career

Windels became a member of the [Christian People's Party (CVP)](/source/Christian_Democratic_and_Flemish) in 1948 and became leader of the party's Torhout branch the following year. From 1961 to 1967, Windels served as an [adviser](/source/Adviser) to minister of Middle class [Albert De Clerck](/source/Albert_De_Clerck) and continued to serve in that role under De Clerck's successor [Adhémar d'Alcantara](/source/Adh%C3%A9mar_d'Alcantara). Other duties he had while serving as adviser, were to help the administration and private educational initiatives collaborate, and to translate the notes of the training schools into [laws](/source/Law), [royal- and ministerial decrees](/source/Decree).[1] Windels further served as [senator](/source/Senate_(Belgium)) for Bruges from 1977 to 1987, and was amongst others chairman of the senate's commission for education,[2] vice-chairman of the CVP's senate fraction and vice-chairman of the CVP's Bruges district.[3] From May 1977 until October 1980, Windels served as a member of the culture council and the Dutch culture community as a result of a [dual mandate](/source/Dual_mandate). Windels thereafter became a member of the [Flemish Council](/source/Flemish_Parliament) from 21 October 1980 to 12 December 1987.[4]

During [the municipal election of 1982](/source/1982_Belgian_municipal_elections), Windels became interested in running for [mayor of Torhout](/source/List_of_mayors_of_Torhout) and started his [campaign](/source/Political_campaign) to succeed the [incumbent](/source/Incumbent) [socialist](/source/Vooruit_(political_party)) mayor [Carlos Daled](/source/Carlos_Daled).[5][1] Windels and his party CVP won the election and he thus became the new mayor of Torhout. However when the next [municipal election neared in 1988](/source/1988_Belgian_municipal_elections), Windels considered [retiring](/source/Retirement) and attempted to convince *[Schepen](/source/Schepen)* [Norbert De Cuyper](/source/Norbert_De_Cuyper) to run as the leading candidate of the CVP list so that De Cuyper could succeed him as mayor. De Cuyper declined so Windels continued his campaign and subsequently won re-election, receiving the most preferential votes. However, in the midst of the [legislature](/source/Legislature) on 31 May 1991,[6] Windels [resigned](/source/Resignation) and De Cuyper succeeded him as mayor.[7] During his career, Windels was awarded the [Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice](/source/Pro_Ecclesia_et_Pontifice) and was made a knight in the [Order of the Crown](/source/Order_of_the_Crown_(Belgium)).[8]

## Later Life & Death

Following his [retirement](/source/Retirement) from politics, Windels lived with his wife in [Torhout](/source/Torhout)[1] before his death in [Bruges](/source/Bruges) on 13 November 1996.[9][10] He was buried at the *de Warande* [graveyard](/source/Cemetery) in Torhout.[11]

## See also

- [List of mayors of Torhout](/source/List_of_mayors_of_Torhout)

## References

1. De Cuyper 1991.

1. ["Roger Windels"](https://www.odis.be/hercules/toonPERS.php?taalcode=nl&id=4559). odis.be. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. Rotsaert 2006.

1. ["Roger Windels"](https://www.vlaamsparlement.be/vlaamse-volksvertegenwoordigers/2685). Vlaams Parlement. Retrieved 2 December 2015.

1. Demarest 2011, p. 43.

1. ["Norbert De Cuyper"](http://www.torhout.cdenv.be/norbert-de-cuyper). CD&V. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151208064010/http://www.torhout.cdenv.be/norbert-de-cuyper) 8 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. Demarest 2011, p. 47.

1. van Molle 1972, p. 384.

1. ["Overlijdensbrieven E - Z"](https://www.landvannevele.com/upload/1/paginas/overlijdensbrief%20e%20z.pdf). landvannevele.com. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. ["Brugsch Handelsblad"](https://erfgoedbrugge.be/collectie/brugsch-handelsblad-1060277082-47). erfgoedbrugge.be. 22 November 1996. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

1. ["Begraafplaats - Torhout"](https://nl.geneanet.org/kerkhof/view/13477235). geneanet.org. 13 July 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2026.

## Bibliography

- Demarest, Patrick (2011). [*Leve Torhout. Norbert De Cuyper. 20 jaar burgervader*](http://main.apriotief.be/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/BoekBurgemeester.pdf). Apriotief. ISBN 9789081820400.
- De Cuyper, Norbert (1991). *Roger Windels en Torhout: terugblik ten afscheid*. Lannoo. ISBN 9020920537.
- van Molle, Paul (1972). *Het Belgisch parlement 1894-1972*. Standaard. ISBN 9789002121951.
- Rotsaert, Koen (2006). *Lexicon van de parlementariers uit het arrondissement Brugge. (1830-1995)*. Van De Wiele. ISBN 9789076297330.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Roger Windels](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Windels) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Windels?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.