In loving memory of

Dr. Ralph Woodard
September 17, 1927 - February 5, 2014

Dr. Ralph E. Woodard, 86, of Arnolds Park, Iowa, passed away February 5th in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the Stanford Hospice Cottages.

Born to Josephine and Ernest G. Woodard on September 17th, 1927. He attended school in Fort Dodge, Iowa and graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1945. He lettered in football, basketball and baseball and received a football scholarship to the University of Iowa.

Dr. Woodard played his first Big Ten football game at the age of 17. He was drafted into the US Army after his first year of college - the U.S. 7th Division- and was honorably discharged in 1947. Upon discharge, he returned to the University of Iowa to pursue a degree in medicine. He was a four-year starter with the Hawkeye Football Team. While at the University, he received several academic Merit Scholarships, the prestigious Nile Kinnick Scholarship and was named to the Omicron Delta Kappa medical scholarship fraternity.

Following graduation from the University of Iowa, he married his high school sweetheart, Martha Jo Pray, on June 18th, 1950. They lived in Iowa City until 1954 when Ralph graduated from medical school. Martha and Ralph moved to Wayne County, Michigan for his internship at Wayne Co. General Hospital. Ralph was asked to return to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City to complete a general surgical residency and thoracic surgery fellowship. Dr. Woodard was inducted as a fellow in the American College of Surgeons in 1964. He moved his family to Fort Dodge where he practiced general surgery for 36 years at Trinity Regional Hospital. Dr. Woodard was inducted into the Fort Dodge High School football Hall of Fame and elected as the Charter President of the Varsity Letterman's Club for the University of Iowa. He was honored by the Iowa High School Athletic Association for providing free annual physical assessments for all junior and senior high school students during the years he practiced medicine in Fort Dodge.

Dr. Woodard retired from practice in 1995 and moved to Lake Okoboji where he loved to enjoy his family, a late afternoon swim and watch the Lake activity.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Josephine and Ernst Woodard. He is survived by his wife, Martha; a brother, Richard Woodard; a daughter, Dr. Debra (Edward) Leners; daughter, Mary Ann (Don) Cousins; and son, Dr. Tom (Darci) Woodard. In addition, Dr. Woodard has seven grandchildren, Nevin (Sadie) Leners, Noah Leners, Kyle Cousins, Kirk Cousins, Karalyne Cousins, Jenna (Tom) Harmon and Nick Woodard; and a great-grandson, William Keith Leners.

Services are scheduled as follows:

A visitation service will be held at Schuchert Funeral Home in Spirit Lake, Iowa, Thursday evening, February 13th from 5:00pm to 7:00 pm.

A visitation is also scheduled Friday, February14th, 1:00pm-2:30pm, with a service at 2:30pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Dodge, Iowa.

A memorial Celebration of the Life of Dr. R.E. Woodard will be held on February 15th from 11:00am to 12:00pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Spirit Lake, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Tributes

Jim & Jolene Fank wrote on Feb 15, 2014:

"Please our deepest condolence for your loss. We are the children of Joseph and Margaret Fank."

Nick & Kathy Fank wrote on Feb 15, 2014:

"Please accept our heart felt condolences for your loss. We are the children of Carl and Clarabel Fank of Emmetsburg"

Louise[Fank]Jenness wrote on Feb 13, 2014:

"Martha and Family My deepest condolense. I will alway remember Ralf as a teen age when he wood spend summer at the nfarm, eyher Grandpa Fanks or our. I havent seen him in yr. ,but remmember the last time he stopped at the farm. "

Michael and Carole Stitt wrote on Feb 13, 2014:

"Sad to lose a colleague and fellow Trinity Regional med staff member. Not to mention THE Fort Dodge High School team physician when I started. We have missed you since you left Fort Dodge and the house across the ravine from us. "

Keith and Jan Knorr wrote on Feb 11, 2014:

"Dear Martha, Losing Ralph creates a void in both of our families. Jan and Keith have fond memories with Martha and Ralph dating from back in Medical School to the present. God bless you and your family. Please keep in touch."

Jane Flood wrote on Feb 11, 2014:

"Martha Jim and I are so sorry for your great loss and we pray that your memories will sustain you in this difficult time.Our thoughts are with you."

Bruce Eckerman wrote on Feb 10, 2014:

"Fifty years ago, Doctor Ralph fixed a badly broken leg of mine from a basketball mishap, he was a fine surgeon as well as a fine man. May he rest in Peace."

Nancy Brenaman wrote on Feb 9, 2014:

"I am praying for God to comfort your family. I will always remember that million dollar smile on Uncle Ralph's face. He always made you feel like he was just waiting for you to call or come visit. What a wonderful man who ran the race well. I am sure he and Uncle Tom are together again tossing around a football. Love and God's blessings to you all. Nancy (Pray) Brenaman"

James M. Caterine, M.D. wrote on Feb 8, 2014:

"In 1960, I was a 1st year surgical resident on Dr Woodard's ward during his senior year. Following an incident during which one of my patients signed out against medical advice, Dr Woodard taught me to recognize it, not as the patients' failure to understand but my failure to make him understand why he shouldn't leave the hospital. That valuable lesson was the basis on how I managed my patients during my 32 years of surgical practice. I never forgot where and from whom I learned it "

Madie Pray wrote on Feb 8, 2014:

"A wonderful brother in law and good friend. Tom and I had so many good times together with you as we watched our families grow and then have their own families. My prayers are with you all. I wish I could be with you at this time but will be there in spirit. My love to you all. Aunt Madie "

Allen@Hospice wrote on Feb 8, 2014:

"Thinking of you today."

Margaret McKim wrote on Feb 8, 2014:

"Martha and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Ralph will be greatly missed. May faith, family and friends sustain you now and in the days that follow. Sincere sympathy, Fred & Margaret"

Norlan and Rose Top wrote on Feb 7, 2014:

"Martha and family, we are so sorry to hear of Ralph's passing. We will miss seeing you both going by on the golf cart, and also in church"

Kathy Welter wrote on Feb 7, 2014:

"Martha & family, Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Love, Jerry & Kathy Welter"

Ron and Carol swartz wrote on Feb 7, 2014:

"Martha and family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. We have over 40 years of memories, but especially these last 20 when we reconnected at Okoboji. He was a special person and he will be missed by so many. Our love, Ron and Carol"

Ed Hendrickson wrote on Feb 6, 2014:

"Martha and family, We lost a wonderful person and friend. We had so many great times together. Ed Hendrickson and Patsy Huenecke"