Civil and environmental engineering alumnus Richard E. Woodring (MS 56, PhD 63), passed away on Tuesday, April 22 surrounded by his family in Farmington, Conn. He was 93 years old.
Woodring, a prolific voice in the academic sphere of structural engineering, earned both his master’s and doctoral degree from the University of Illinois.
Before coming to U of I, Woodring attended Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa., where he not only studied civil engineering, but also was offered athletic scholarships and participated in ROTC. He returned to Drexel upon completing his studies at Illinois and used the expertise he cultivated here to launch himself into an academic career lasting several decades. Woodring served in various leadership positions at Drexel, including Department Head of Civil Engineering, Dean of Engineering, Vice President for Student Life, Dean of Engineering Emeritus and Professor Emeritus.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marie Geibel Woodring; his son John and his wife Cindy Woodring; his daughter, Susan, and her husband Craig Ahrens; as well as five grandsons: Erik and his wife Marah Woodring; Kevin, and Kyle Woodring; and Ryan and Connor Ahrens. He is also survived by his great grandson, Joseph John “JJ” Woodring; his brother and sister-in-law Louis and Barbara Geibel; nephews Lou and David Geibel; his niece Betsi Hytha and nephew Stephen Brown, and their families.
A full obituary can be read here.