George Woodyard
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Funeral services for George W. Woodyard, 75, Lawrence, KS, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence. He died on Sunday, November 7, 2010 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born the youngest of nine children on November 18, 1934 in Charleston, IL, the son of Lincoln & Iva Hanna Woodyard. He attended rural schools and graduated as salutatorian of his high school class at the age of fifteen. He moved to Lawrence with his family in 1966 from Champaign-Urbana, IL.
George received his B.S. in Education from Eastern Illinois University in 1954. He received his M.A. in Spanish from New Mexico State University in 1955. In 1966, he received his Ph.D. in Spanish from the University of Illinois. He taught for several years in Illinois high schools, and served two years (1957-1959) in the U.S. Army as an English instructor.
He was a retired professor of Spanish at the University of Kansas. He taught at KU from 1966-2005 as an associate professor and later as professor. While at KU, he served in several administrative positions. He was the Assistant Chairman of the Spanish & Portuguese Department from 1971-1974. From 1974-1978, he was Chairman of the Spanish and Portuguese Department. During his career, he taught Summer Language Institutes in Guadalajara, Barcelona, and Santiago de Campostela. In 1978-1989, he served as the Associate Dean of the Graduate School. From 1983-84, he served as the Associate Dean of the Graduate School. From 1983-84, he served as the Acting Dean of the Graduate School. In addition, he became the Associate Vice Chancellor of Research Graduate Studies and Public Service from 1980-1989, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs from 1981-1994, and the first Dean of International Studies from 1989-1996. He was designated as a Professor Emeritus in 2005.
He was a member of the Lawrence Noon Rotary Club and Immanuel Lutheran Church. At the church, he was an active leader, serving several times as elder and president of the congregation.
George’s civic accomplishments included his work in organizing and developing the first Sister Cities Committee for Eutin, Germany and Hiratsuka, Japan, The Rotary Centennial Arboretum, near YSI in Lawrence, and his untiring work in raising funds as the President of the Board for the Lawrence Community Theatre and its development. As director of the capital campaign for the Lawrence Community Theatre, he and his team were successful in raising funds for the new building. He was known world-wide for his pioneering work in the theatre of Latin America, and he served forty years as editor of a journal that he founded. His theatre work was recognized with prizes and awards in Buenos Aires, Caracas, Bogotá, Mexico, Cairo and Miami. An International prize for playwriting is named for him. For years he participated on local theatre boards, both at KU and at the Community Theatre.
His other honors include: Four Avenues of Service Rotary Award in 2005, the Tom Wilkerson Teamwork Award City of Lawrence 2005, and the Paul Harris Fellow designation of the Lawrence Noon Rotary Club in 2006.
George was married to Eleanor Tendick on July 31, 1960 in Mt. Pulaski, IL. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include: four children, Shana (and Scott) Stuart of Iowa City, Iowa; Lance (and Erika) of Collbran, Colorado; Devon of Cedar Crest, New Mexico; Kenda (and Al) Arendt of Kansas City; and eight grandchildren: Kaela, Ryson, Darra and Logan Stuart; and Emma, Joseph, Rachel and Steven Woodyard; by a brother Thomas (Riverton, Wyoming) and sister Ruth (and Orville) Young (Washington, Illinois), and one sister-in-law Florence Woodyard (Charleston, Illinois). Four brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.
The family will greet friends from 5-7:30 p.m. Friday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church.
The family suggests memorials in his name to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Woodyard Fellowship at KU, or the Rotary Arboretum, in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
I will always remember George not only because of his love for Latin America but mainly because of his generosity, sincerity and Humbleness. George was a great man that despite of the honors he received during his life, he was always the same warm and kind person ready to give a hand, offer his support or pronounce a warm word to anyone who was around him. We will miss you greatly George.
The world and our community lost a great citizen. There are few people in my life who I have respected as much as Dr. Woodyard.
With George gone, we, at the Latin American stage, are orfans. He was far more than a mentor, a dinamic force in his constant advocacy for theater, a very dear friend, a warm and generous person, in brief, an indespensable human being that are so rare in this world. Since only who is forgotten dies, George will be with us forever.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Even so, I have to smile a little as I remember your dad and his Mustang with the SPPORT plates.
Dear Mrs. Woodyard,
Bryan and I wish to extend our sincerest sympthay for the loss of your husband. He was such a nice man and am glad to have had the opportunity to get to know him.
Sincerely, Laurie Doud & Bryan Greve
Shana,
My condolences on the loss of your father.
Torrence
Querido maestro
sutil como un junco
fuerte como el agua
La palabra exacta
la mirada atenta
cálido y dispuesto
a escuchar
a entender
a proponer el cambio.
Tan lejos de esa semilla tonta
que envilece tantos egos,
querido George,
querido amigo
hasta siempre
o hasta cuando
digo,
hasta que volvamos a vernos.
Cris
As the curtain falls, dear George, we stand in your honor and shall never cease to applaud your ’performance’ in this life. Encore!! We will miss you very much. Your contributions to theater and humanity in general will be a hard act to follow.
I worked as a secretary in the Spanish & Portuguese Dept. in the 80’s. Prof. Woodyard was a delight to work for and he was a true gentleman. I appreciated his dedication to teaching. My thoughts are with his family.
We will always cherish memories of George, and how he enriched so many lives, including ours. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
A real gentleman and a great scholar, George was one of the most generous persons I have ever met. I am so sorry for his departure.
Dear Eleanor,
Oh, my goodness!! What a shock! We were so hoping that you’d be able to come visit us in Arizona.
George was a very dear friend that I got to know while we served in Puerto Rico. I will miss him! Marlin and Diane
To the Woodyard Family, Please except our deepest condolences, in your time of bereavement…
To the Woodyard Family, Please except our deepest condolences, in your time of bereavement…
It is difficult to lose a loved one to this sinful world, but take heart God has over come the world. (John 16:33) Our prayers to your family that you find peace knowing that George is with His creator in perfect health; thanks to Georges’ Savior, our Savior, Jesus Christ. May you see God’s peace in your life and unite together around your baptismal promises.
Enviamos nuestro sentido pésame a la Sra Eleanor Tendick y a su familia. Recordaremos a George Woodyard con cariño como el intelectual experto en teatro, afable y sensible a la causa feminista que demostró ser, acogiendo en su importante Revista noticias del Encuentro de mujeres de Iberoamérica en las artes escénicas en el FIT de Cádiz. Afectuosamente Diana Raznovich, Margarita Borja, coordinadoras del Encuentro
Un sentimiento de dolor me
invade ante la noticia de la
partida de George, amigo,y
guía en mi carrera como autora
teatral.
George entre tantas cosas fue
mi padrino de Beca Gugenheim,
hecho que siempre le he agradecido.
Quisiera mandar mi más sentidas condolencias a su familia.
Toda la familia teatral pierde
una mente lúcida y un alma bondadosa.
Mis condolencias a ustedes.
Diana Raznovich
dramaturga
Every thought I’ve had of “Woody”, over the 55 years since childhood, have been of his warmth, kindness, generosity, sincerity, and class, and awe at his achievements. What a wonderful legacy to leave, . . . and what joy it will be to see him again in Heaven.
Our condolences to the Woodyard family: There have been many touch-points with the Woodyard family growing up: Kenda through school for Philip and me, Devon in gymnastics, Lance/Erika in Japanese class at KU, and Eleanor/George through out my time at KU and beyond. One of the last times I spoke with George was when he visited my mom & dad before & after my dad’s passing last year. I was touched by the thoughtfulness and willingness to serve, despite not being in the best condition himself. Dr. Woodyard, you have lived an enviable life. Thank you for the memories of warmth, strength and dedicated service to friends, students and family. May our prayers be with you and your family! You will be missed –
Our condolences to the Woodyard family: There have been many touch-points with the Woodyard family growing up: Kenda through school for Philip and me, Devon in gymnastics, Lance/Erika in Japanese class at KU, and Eleanor/George through out my time at KU and beyond. One of the last times I spoke with George was when he visited my mom & dad before & after my dad’s passing last year. I was touched by the thoughtfulness and willingness to serve, despite not being in the best condition himself. Dr. Woodyard, you have lived an enviable life. Thank you for the memories of warmth, strength and dedicated service to friends, students and family. May our prayers be with you and your family! You will be missed –
We were so saddened to learn of George’s passing. George was the nicest and most effective university leader that we had the pleasure to know.Our thoughts are with Eleanor and the family.Sincerely,Louis & Jane Frydman
Dear Mrs. Woodyard: I was so saddened to hear the news. I would like you to know that there are many students and collegues whose lives were touched by your husband’s work. I have many warm memories of Professor Woodyard and my years at KU. You and your family are in my thoughts. Do take care.
Nora
GEORGE WOODYARD, FRIEND, COLLEAGUE, MENTOR
George Woodyard has been my friend, colleague, and mentor for 30 years. His unfailing generosity and support – extended to so many people – were rare gifts. He seemed incapable of thinking of himself – he always put the interests of others first. It was no secret to anyone that you could always count on George. And his own contributions to scholarship were remarkable and pioneering. In addition to his own scholarly writing and translations, he founded the foremost journal in the world on Latin American theatre. People everywhere read The Latin American Theatre Review. And to the end he nursed his new publishing project: the LATR Press. George was universally admired and respected for his generosity and scholarly distinction.
It is difficult to imagine the world of Latin American theatre without George. He will always be remembered, not just as an indefatigable organizer and scholar, but also for his bountiful spirit and selflessness.
While we mourn his loss and will always miss him, we celebrate the fullness and richness of his life. Goodbye, George, you will forever be in our hearts.
David George
Lake Forest College
It was only a couple weeks ago I had the peasure of a morning coffee/pep talk on theatre with Goerge. I was amazed at how upbeat he was about the new theatre plans and his role in raising money for it – in spite of his own health problems. What a remarkable man! And what a stellar contribution to the life of KU and the city of Lawrence. We shall miss him.
Jed
I have SO many wonderful memories of George and the entire Woodyard/Stuart/Arendt family. You’re all in my thoughts and prayers – hugs to all.
Mr. Woodyard was always so kind and generous to me – as is the entire Woodyard family. I have many many fond memories of time spent in your house growing up with Kenda and will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Friends of Eutin, Germany, wish to express their sincerest sympathy for the loss of George Woodyard. We will always remember a generous gentlemen, who contributed much to keep the sister city relationship between Lawrence and Eutin alive.
Martin Vollertsen, chairman
Dear Mrs. Woodyard,
Professor Woodyard will always be remembered fondly as an amazingly talented professor and mentor who always had advice, knowledge and a smile to share. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Charlene E. Mastro née Roth
Dear Mrs. Woodyard,
Professor Woodyard will always be remembered fondly as an amazingly talented professor and mentor who always had advice, knowledge and a smile to share. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Charlene E. Mastro née Roth
We were saddened to learn of George’s passing. Our sincere condolences to the family.
I (Pat) worked George on an International Education project that reached out to educators in four key states. It was a pleasure to work together during a KU study tour in Japan.
George did so much to promote International Education. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
Pat and Tom Weiss
Dear Eleanor and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I just read the November 2010 obituaries and saw the notice for George. I would have attended his wake and service, but I didn’t know George had passed.
I had no idea he had been ill. I recall seeing Eleanor and George at a KU men’s basketball game and enjoyed talking with them.
I hope the fond memories you have of George will sustain you during this trying time.
Know all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Devon, if you would like to send me an e-mail, please do. I would love to hear from you and hope you are doing well.
My e-mail is: lerazmus1@sunflower.com.
Respectfully,
~Le-Thu Erazmus
I have just learned that George passed away last November.
I will always remember George as a keen scholar and a trusted friend.