On March 29, 2022, pancreatic cancer took Woody, one of the class’s and the University’s most engaging and faithful members. A year at King’s School Cambridge following the Lawrenceville School locked in Woody’s British accent. He majored in politics, marched with the Band for four years, enrolled in Army ROTC, announced for WPRB, and somehow found time to serve Terrace Club as its president.


Following two years as an Army artillery officer, a long career in aircraft finance took Woody and his family all over the world from Saudi Arabia and the Middle East to Asia and Africa. Ultimately, Woody settled in Anaheim, Calif., rising through several corporations to vice president of aviation equipment at Bank of America, overseeing its worldwide operation.

A June 2000 retirement led to his Reno, Nev., years as managing director of his own aviation-consulting company and some parttime work with the Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to all that, Woody made it to 57 of 61 Reunions (more than any other classmate and more than most alumni), worked decades for the Alumni Schools Committee, and served ’59 as AG regional class agent, treasurer, and vice president.

Woody is sorely missed by all who knew him, and the class extends its deepest sympathies to his wife, Sybil; and daughter Sheryl.

Undergraduate Class of 1959