Robert F. "Woody" Woodward

Robert F Woodward. 65 of Kalama, Wash., passed away Dec. 16, 2008 at the Hospice Care Center. A memorial service was held, Dec. 20, 2008 at Columbia Funeral Chapel in Longview, Wash.

Mr. Woodward was born Dec. 11, 1943 in Eugene to Frank L and Caroline (Waltz) Woodward. He grew up in the Bitteroot Valley in Montana. He was married to Gail F. Gondek in Sept. 1962 before joining the Navy in 1963. Later in 1963, while in the service his son Michael was born. After completing his tour in the Navy, he returned to his hometown of Hamilton, Mont. In January of 1965 a friend introduced him to the job of a timber faller. In 1966 his daughter Brenda was born. He continued to fall timber in Montana until he moved to Oregon in 1971. He spent a short time in Sumpter before moving to Mt. Vernon for several years, where he worked for a construction company for a couple years and then moved to a private timber contractor. Mr. Woodward then moved to Kalama, Wash., where he continued to work in the timber industry until 2002. In August of 1992 he was married to Kathy Hammond and they shared a home for 16 years. After more than 30 years as a timber faller, due to an occupational injury, he decided to enter a retraining program. He completed many classes and spent many months of on-the-job training and when completed he was hired by the City of Kalama as a Wastewater Operator I, where he worked until he retired in October of 2008.

He will be remembered as a hard and dedicated worker, and for being a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved to spend time with his family and looked forward to weekly phone calls from his children, updating him with the latest stories about his grandchildren.

Mr. Woodward also loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fishermen, with numerous stories, adventures and memories shared by many.

He is survived by his wife Kathy (Hammond) Woodward of Kalama, Wash.; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Fonda Woodward of Hope Mills, N.C.; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Jimmy Randall of Mt. Vernon; brother and sister-in-law, David and Karen Woodward of Eugene; sister and brother-in-law, Sydney and John Slipper of Corvallis Mont..; four grandchildren, Tenille and Aaron Woodward of Hope Mills, and Kerry and Stephaine Randall of Mt. Vernon, numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two stepsons, one stepdaughter and 10 other grandchildren.

A celebration and dedication in his memory will be held in the spring.

People who would like to send condolences to the family, can visit www.myeaglenews.com for a link to a website guestbook.