In Memory of Richard Woodman (1930-2020)

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Richard M. Woodman, who died on May 30, 2020, at the age of 90.

Richard was born on April 20, 1930 in Biddeford, ME to Lloyd G. and Edna R. (Ramberg) Woodman. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Religion in 1952, and Bachelor of Divinity in 1954, both from the St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY.

Rev. Woodman was ordained by the First Universalist Church, Binghamton, NY (now the UU Congregation of Binghamton, NY) on November 28, 1954 where he carried out his ministry from 1954 to 1963. Later in 1963, he accepted a call from the UU Church of Tampa, FL and ministered there for five years. He then served in parish ministries at the UU Congregation in Andover, MA (1968-1973) and the UU Church of Reading, MA (1973-1983). Ever since 1983, Rev. Woodman was drawn to interim ministry and served as an interim minister at the following congregations: Davies UU Congregation, MD (1983-1984); Murray UU Church, MA (1984-1985); Beacon UU Congregation in Summit, NJ (1985-1987); the UU Church of Manchester, NH (1987-1988); the UU Congregation of Binghamton, NY (1988-1989); All Souls UU Church, NY (1989-1990); the UU Society of Greater Springfield, MA (1990-1992); the First Congregational Society Unitarian, Chelmsford, MA (1992-1993); and the UU Society of Bangor, ME (1994-1995). On June 1, 1996, he retired from his ministry.

On behalf of the denomination, Rev. Woodman was National Vice President for the Universalist Youth Fellowship (1951-1952); and an assistant manager (1954) and manager (1955-1960) for the NY State Convention of Universalist, Unirondack. He served the UUA Fellowship Committee (1961-1963) and the UCA-AUA Commission on Federal Union. For the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, he functioned as a National Vice President (1961-1963) and as a treasurer (1965-1967). He also was treasurer for the Universalist Historical Society (1969-1975) and a counselor to the UU students at Harvard Divinity School (1974-1980). Furthermore, Rev. Woodman provided his services to the General Assembly Planning Committee (1975-1983) and chaired the committee (1979-1981). He was treasurer of the Unitarian Universalist Historical Society (1979-1985) and member of the UU Pastoral Counseling Service Board (1981-1983).

In addition to his denominational work, Richard was affiliated with several community organizations. He was board member of the Planned Parenthood Center, Binghamton, NY (1958-1963) and the Family Service Association of America, NY (Public Issues Committee of Nat’l Organization, 1962-1964). In Tampa, FL he served the Human Relations Council (1963-1968); Tampa Urban League Board (1964-1968); NAACP Board (1964-1968); ACLU Chapter (1965-1968); Mental Health Association Board (1964-1968); United Cerebral Palsy Center Board (1963-1968); and the Tampa Memorial Society (1965-1968). Likewise, in Andover, MA, he passionately rendered his services to the Teen-Adult Coordinating Council (1970-1973); Advisory Council of the Greater Lawrence Ecumenical Area Ministry (1971-1974); Andover Peace Action Council (1969-1974); and the 5th Congregational District Citizens Caucus (1972). Similarly, in Reading, MA he served the Reading Clergy Association (1973-1983); and Reading Antiquarian Society (1975-1983).

In his spare time, Richard liked stamp collecting, carpentry, woodworking (furniture making and refinishing), gardening, campaigning, and home computers. He enjoyed history, genealogy, storytelling and jokes, and immensely loved his Boston Terriers: Snuffy and PandD.

Richard is survived by his son Douglas L. Woodman (Kathy); his daughters, Linda (Avram), and Marilyn Woodman (Raphael Hartzog); his step-daughter Janet Rosado (Darrell Wheeler), and step son Jeff Rosado (Caramia); his ten grandchildren, and five great-granddaughters; his sisters, Marjorie Miller, and Joan Bishop; as well as his several cousins, nephews and great nieces. He was predeceased by his wife Pauline Rosado Woodman, and by the mother of his children, Margaret Blair Woodman.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA/hospice of Cooley Dickinson Hospital, PO Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061-0329.
A private gathering will be held later.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Marilyn Woodman at mjwoodman@comcast.net.