Richard B. Woodward

Richard B. Woodward, 82, known to countless boaters, commercial fishermen, and yachtsmen, died

April 14, 2012, surrounded by family.

Mr. Woodward was a longtime resident of Monterey County and resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea since 1976.

He was born in Portland, Oregon on June 6, 1929, youngest of three children born to Donald L. Woodward, Sr. and Lillian Baker Woodward.

Richard attended Portland elementary schools, then received his high school diploma from Lakeside School, Seattle in 1947. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Goddard College.

After receiving his BA, he joined the U.S. Army and served in the Army Transportation Corps. Following active duty, he earned the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve.

For more than half a century, Richard owned and operated Woodward Marine in Moss Landing, a business founded in 1950 by his father. Richard’s mother, author of Lillian Woodward's Moss Landing, was well-known for her “Moss Landing Footnotes” column published in regional newspapers. For many years, Woodward Marine was the only marine dock in the central Monterey Bay area. Initially it was a boat brokerage business, then grew to include a general store and boat launch.

Richard found it fulfilling to work with so many diverse people. He was observant and interested in individuals and their stories, while maintaining a quiet reserve. He enjoyed every aspect of the business, from bookkeeping to activities on the dock. Richard was assisted at Woodward Marine for years by his friend Denis Long, who helped him quickly arrange fuel deliveries to aid fishermen following the 1989 earthquake. In 2008, Richard sold the Sandholdt Road property and retired.

As some would celebrate holidays, Richard loved and celebrated daily life. Throughout his adulthood, he explored many avenues toward self-knowledge in psychology, philosophy, and spiritual study. He was involved in political activities and supported those of his wife, Jacquelyn, including participating in peace walks.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Jacquelyn Smith; daughters, Toni Parker (Bill), Dr. Lisa Phillips Schmid (Michael Ryan), and Karen Woodward; sons, Stephen Woodward (Theresa)and David B. Woodward (Jill); sister, Virginia Stone; brother, Donald L. Woodward (Lynne); two stepsons, Barkley Smith (Molly) and Rhett Smith (Judy); and grandchildren, Rell and Tori Parker; Megan and Patrick Schmid; Ellie, Iphie, and Scirocco Smith; and Courtney and Foster Smith.

A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, June 2, 2 p.m. at Wave Street Studios, 774 Wave Street, Monterey.

Richard was a compassionate man and viewed others with a kind heart, most recently noting the good work in Salinas of Sun Street Centers, where memorial contributions may be sent.

For the complete article see the 04-21-2012 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 04-21-2012 paper.

Share on Facebook