Walter "Dick" Woodruff

1929 - 2024

Walter "Dick" Woodruff

Hanover, NH - Walter Richard "Dick" Woodruff (Major USAF, retired) passed on January 27th, 2024, at Hanover Terrace in Hanover, NH, about a month shy of his 95th birthday. Dick was born February 21st, 1929, in Fitchburg, MA. He graduated from Cushing Academy in 1947 and studied Business Administration at Boston University and Nichols College. Dick served three years active duty in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, stationed for 2 years in Libya. He completed 35 years as a Reservist, retiring with the rank of Major. Dick married Eleanor Beard Tucker on October 26, 1957. Together in Ashby, MA they raised Susan, Jane, Ward, Betsy, and Kathryn.

Dick retired in 1986 after 40 years in the insurance industry. He was an active member of Rotary Clubs, serving as president in Fitchburg, MA then Milford, NH. He was a life-long member of the Ashby American Legion. He served on the Ashby Planning Board for over 20 years and the Montechusett Regional Planning Board. Dick was an avid skier, sharing this love with his children, and with others as one of the founders of the Mt. Watatic Ski Area in Ashby. He was active in Ski Patrol for 55 years at three different mountains. He was proud of skiing Tuckerman's Ravine on Mt. Washington, and was still skiing in his 80's.

Dick's family grew with his second marriage to Carol Anna (Foynes) Sandin on May 12, 2007. They met in 2002 at a Cushing reunion. Carol and Dick enjoyed several years living on the Lamprey River in Newmarket, NH prior to moving to Hanover, NH in 2015. They shared a love of travel, history, photography, and genealogy. They especially enjoyed driving around New England visiting friends and family and ducking in and out of historic sites, yard sales, and antique stores.

Dick was predeceased by his first wife, Eleanor; his daughter Susan T. Macaulay (John), and his great-grandson Nicholas A. Davidowicz. He is survived by his wife Carol Sandin Woodruff, of Hanover; four of his children, Jane T. Shattuck (Willard III), Ward Tucker Woodruff (Louise), Betsy C. Thayer (William), Kathryn M. Collings (Christopher), and his son-in-law John Macaulay; Carol's children Eric C. Sandin (Kate), Carrie A. Sandin (Jim), Cristina S. Hammond (Bill), and Peter T. Sandin (Micheline); and 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Dick was an active member of any community he lived in contributing as a volunteer on projects and committees and making friends wherever he went. He was a true gentleman whose kindness, sense of humor, and quiet nature will be missed. We thank the staff at Hanover Terrace for the excellent care they provided over the past seven years. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 on Wednesday, February 21st at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Hanover, NH. A celebration of life and interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Ashby, MA is planned for June. In remembrance of Walter "Dick" Woodruff's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Cushing Academy, Rotary International, or a service organization of your choosing.