Ralph Taylor Woodrow

Woodrow

Ralph Taylor Woodrow

A Life of Service

Ralph Taylor Woodrow passed away on November 30, 2023 at 99 years of age leaving behind a legacy of service to his country, his family, and his fellow man. Ralph was born on September 15, 1924 in Biddeford, Maine and considered himself to be 'from Maine'. He grew up in Orange, Massachusetts, the oldest of five children of Emma Elizabeth (Flood) and William Thomas Woodrow, Jr.



Ralph was a US Army veteran serving in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, rising through the ranks from private to colonel with service as an engineering bridge builder, as a combat infantry officer and then as a senior intelligence officer. He retired from the US Army in 1979, after completing 37 years of active military service and having earned numerous awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit (three awards). Most cherished among his awards was the Combat Infantry Badge earned from his Korean service.



After the military, together with his devoted wife, Nancy, and his eldest son, Bruce, they then operated travel agencies in Fairfax, Burke and Springfield, Virginia and ran them as a family business for the next twenty-six years until 2005.



Ralph became a Master Mason in 1956 and remained a member of various masonic bodies for 67 years. He was selected this past year to be the Grand Marshall of the 200th Anniversary of Knights Templar in Williamsburg, Virginia. During his life in Masonry, he received numerous awards and carried many titles, but to Ralph the title that meant the most to him was Master Mason. The purpose of Masonry is to take a good man and make him better. Ralph was that better man.



Ralph loved learning. He earned degrees in law (Boston University), international affairs (Columbia University), mastered the Russian language and became an expert in Soviet Russian and eastern European affairs. He loved foreign languages and would rise to any opportunity to converse with anyone whom he suspected could speak with him (even when he had only slight knowledge of a few phrases).



There was nothing more important to Ralph than his family. He was an active participant in this children and grandchildren's lives. Ralph and Nancy hosted the family each year for two weeks in Ocean Park, Maine. This was an important legacy they have passed along. It gave Ralph great joy to be with his family at the beach, sitting at the head of a long table with his entire family sharing stories and enjoying his favorite meal of lobster rolls, clam chowder and chips.



Ralph is survived by his sons: Bruce Woodrow and his wife Francesca of Washington, DC; Brian Woodrow and Joyce Fukami of Southborough, Massachusetts; John Woodrow and his wife Joyce of Hollis, New Hampshire; and Romulo Capuno and his wife Grace of Springfield, Virginia. His grandchildren include: Alden Woodrow and his wife Kate, and their children Zoe and Wynn of Oakland, California; Honor (Woodrow) Merrill and her husband Noah, of Newfane, Vermont; Alex Woodrow and Christina Johnston of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Taylor (Woodrow) Corriveau and her husband Tristan of South Portland, Maine and their children, Julien and August; and Kenzie Woodrow and Dallis Seeker of Glendale, California.



Ralph is also survived by his brothers Alan and his wife Mary Jo; Philip and his wife Blossom; and younger sister June (Woodrow) Mullen and her husband Dave. He was beloved by countless nieces and nephews. Ralph was predeceased by his beloved wife Nancy Lousie (Muzzey) Woodrow; their twin infant daughters Marjorie Anne and Elizabeth Jane; and by his brother Donald P. Woodrow.



A Celebration of Life service is planned for February 23, 2024, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Springfield, Virginia. Interment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. It is requested that in lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ralph's loving memory to:

St. Christopher's Episcopal Church 6230 Hanover Street Springfield, VA 22150

or

Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. 3201 Cross Timbers Road, Building 4 Ste. 300 Flower Mound, TX 75028.