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Robert Woodruff Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Woodruff
Robyn Wright
May 10, 2008
I have very many fond memories of my grandpa Bob. I remember thinking it was funny that he prefered to be called Bob because Grandpa sounded too old. My first word as a baby was Bob also. I always looked forward to making trips to California or Arizona to see them. At Grandma and Bob's 50th wedding anniversary I remember Bob showed me how to use a slot machine they had in their house which as a little kid i thought was so much fun. Also, Bob took me golfing for my first time when I was 9 or 10 and got me snoopy golf clubs. He was a very caring and thoughtful grandfather for having so many grandchildren! I will really miss him.
Robyn
Timothy Robert Wright
May 6, 2008
There was no difference between going to bed on Christmas Eve and the night before going to California. The feeling was the same. Except California lasted longer and was hosted by two Angels, really they must have been. Maybe that's why Bob would take me, his oldest grandson, to those Angel's games. I never knew why, or asked; we shared the un-talkative gene -- besides, I didn't want to mess this dream up. We spoke in the language of ball park dogs, sodas, ice cream, and whatever else that was yelled out down those stadium aisles. I remember the time we sat in an otherwise empty row and a football landed a few seats down from me. The whole world went silent. Bob stared at the ball. Wasn't I going to get it? How could I with all those peanuts and gallons of soda all over my lap? I still don't know how Bob wriggled past me to recover that ball. Good thing the refs made him throw it back though. Who did that ball think it was trying to steal all my attention away anyway... Bob would tell me what the referees were trying to say with their hand signals and other things regarding the rules and object of football. My grandfather must have known that I wasn't fully watching the game, and that I may not have known how to react as a shy child with all this exclusive time, being from a big family where special treatment meant being in trouble. Anyway, I know he knows now how much he means and meant to me. And how at the time of his transcending I was busy getting God in my life. And how now that I have Him inside I feel like the child that I was with Bob. I feel special.
Andrew Wright
April 30, 2008
Some of my fondest childhood memories took place at the Woodruff home in Fullerton. Bob would take us to all kinds of great places like Disney land, baseball games, ice capades and much more! As great as those memories are the ones that stand out the most for me are the times we all just sat around in the den watching TV together with Bob in his favorite chair. We will miss you!
Jill (Wright) Craig
April 28, 2008
My family always recalls Bob’s famous words that swelled such excitement in us when we were little kids: “You kids wanna go to Disney Land?” This phrase is still alive; whenever Bob comes up in conversation, one of my brothers will do his best imitation of Bob’s unique, unwavering voice--“You kids wanna go to Disney Land?” Bob and Grandma gave us Arizona-turned-Missouri kids such great memories. My parents were too poor to take six kids to Disney Land, but Bob and Grandma made up for that!
I’m so glad Bob got to lead such a full, eventful, meaningful, golf-filled life. I miss him.
Edy Mohler
April 16, 2008
We so enjoyed you and Bob on our get-togethers with Ken and Ellie and Bev and Gene. So much has changed but we know our men are in a better place now. Miss you!
marvin J. sakol
April 16, 2008
Bob and I started Ohio State the same day in 1940. At SaddleBrooke we played bridge at least twice a week.He will be sorely missed. Hopefully, the scarlet and gray will be at his new residence.
shirley purcell
April 15, 2008
mother and I wish to send out sympathies to you and your family.
Tom Houser
April 14, 2008
I just wanted to add my condolences to Helen and Bobs family. Bob loved to play golf and all of us who knew him at Desert Princess Country Club in Palm Springs missed both he and Helen
when they moved to Arizona. You were a good friend and golf partner, so rest in peace. I've heard it said that there are no 3 putts in that great golf course up in the sky.
JC "Gute" Gutierrez
April 12, 2008
Bob, you were a good friend and putting buddy. I miss our dinners together when the girls were at sorority. I always enjoyed sharing e-mails with you. Rest in peace my friend you are missed.
Alan & Peggy Woodruff
April 11, 2008
We feel badly that we never lived close enough to visit with Uncle Robert or Aunt Helen. Since they were on the West coast and we on the East we only communicated via e-mail. However we do remember our visit out to Ca. for Donald's 90th Birthday and the nice visit we had with both Robert and Helen.
Maybe someday we will be in Ca. again and we can connect with some of the cousins.
Amy Woodruff
March 23, 2008
Still to this moment, I can remember all the numerous times I spent with Bob while growing up. Some of you may already know about my obession with playing board games and working out a puzzle. For the most part everyone was willing to play with me, but after the third game people started to get really annoyed. However, there was one person who never bailed out on me. And that person was Bob. Bob would play with me all hours of the night if I wanted. Over the years, I think it's quite possible that we've played every game that exists. Now he rests in place where there is no suffering or pain. A place where he belongs. I will miss him dearly and will cherish the countless hours of playing games forever.
Patti Woodruff
March 23, 2008
Our family was lucky to have Bob and Helen at our house for visits during the holidays and also as a stop on their way through California on one of their many road trips. Bob was always willing to play board games or swim in the pool, whatever the kids wanted to do. Of course, they too were also trying to stay quiet and "not wake the baby!" In the fall, he was happy to sit and watch college football and root for his Ohio State "Buckeyes." One special memory is the Christmas he spent several hours helping me put together a dollhouse "Santa" brought Kelly. The only problem was it came in hundreds of pieces and Kelly, who was 5 years old, watch anxiously waiting for us to be done. Bob finally asked Helen to take her for a long walk! These last few years, with Bob not able to travel, our holidays haven't been quite the same. It was nice to have them close again these last few months. I'm sure Bob is resting peacefully now, knowing he got his "Sporty" all taken care of and settled in California. We will all miss him very much.
Kelly Woodruff
March 21, 2008
At Alana's wedding Granpa was dancing and never stopped! Dancing with him, he leaned down to me and said he hoped he could be there for my wedding someday. I replied with a wish and admiration for his free, alive soul that still dances and wished he could be there too! Now he can breathe again, deep and full, with the same life he has always had inside him. He will be with me when I someday greet the altar and his soul will be able to dance and laugh and play with refreshed breath. In Grandpa Bob, I breathe peace for his free dream and beautiful soul. Even after death, love never dies. Love is free. I love you Grandpa.
Peace and love,
Alana Woodruff Corso
February 28, 2008
I echo many of the same memories that my cousin Joanna shared about our grandfather. We called him "Bob" - not grandpa because he was too "young" to be called grandpa! If we all could have the same zest for life and youthful qualities as Bob! I fondly remember him taking us to many different amusement parks in southern California and being my roller coaster riding partner - he loved any thrill! Their house in Fullerton was a treasure trove of delights for us grandkids... we spent many hours of hide and seek, pounding on the electric organ (I think they had it just for us grandkids) and looking for the "sleeping baby" that we were supposed to keep quiet for. Bob would always take us swimming and we were lucky to get to sit in his la-z-boy chair to watch TV in the den. Growing up in southern California, my brother and I were fortunate to get to spend so much time with Grandma and Bob, some of the best memories I have as a child. It means a lot to me to know that my Grandma and Bob attended my graduation from college and were at my wedding - Bob was out dancing despite his limitations from emphysema, another testament to his desire to get out and live and have fun! I feel especially fortunate to have been able to see my Grandma and Bob recently before Christmas so they could meet their newest great grandson, my son Chase Robert (named for my grandpa Robert Roy and my dad Robert Douglas). Bob was exactly the same as always, trying to take my daughter for a ride on his electric scooter, offering her cookies and taking my 2nd cousins to the putting green. Bob will be very missed by his large family and many friends and I know my Grandma will miss her "Sporty" immensely.
CHARLES KJELLAND
February 27, 2008
Bob was our close friend for many years, from Fullerton to the years in Saddlebrooke. He will be sorely missed.
Steve Wright
February 26, 2008
I was happy to have known Bob and to have him as my Father-in-law. Although we lived far away and couldn't visit very often, Bob and Helen were always ready to open their home to our large family. We will miss him.
Joanna Wright
February 24, 2008
Bob, we will miss you. As one of your eldest grandaughters, I feel so fortunate to have a long list of memories of our time spent with you and Grandma. Our summer vacations to California were a wonderful treasure. You and Grandma were always so welcoming to everyone. At times there may have been up to 12 - 15 rowdy grandkids running around. But your house in Fullerton was a paradise for us and we always had so much fun. We would spend hours in the pool or playing your electric organ. I personally loved to curl up in the living room with one of your Readers Digest Condensed version books. I think I read every single one over the years. I loved when you would take us to see the fireworks of Disneyland. As an adult now, I can only imagine the chaos and sheer noise all of us together created. But when you wanted us to quiet down you'd only say "be quiet, the baby is sleeping" even when there weren't any babies left and it always made us laugh. I know you were a quiet man, but you showed us you loved us in many ways and you will be missed very much. Thank you for all you did for us. Love you, Joanna
Barbara Leightenheimer
February 24, 2008
Bob has a good and caring family and so many friends. He enjoyed life. We all miss him.
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