We are saddened to report the passing of our friend and classmate, Harry Woodward, on October 17, 2020, a victim of Covid-19.  At the time of his death, Harry was a resident of Lyngblomsten’s memory care unit following a devastating brain aneurism in 2008. He was born on May 6, 1944 to Mary Lou (nee Loomis) and Joe Woodward in Fargo, N.D.  Both Harry’s parents pre-deceased him.  He is survived by his wife, Mary (nee Beckman), older sister, Mary Jo Kline, son, Nathanial (Amy), daughter, Elizabeth Boykin (Sean) and six grandchildren. 

The family is tentatively planning a private memorial service on the north shore of Lake Superior this summer and expects to post a notice of Harry’s passing later this year. 

Harry’s family moved from Fargo to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where Harry began elementary school.  The family then moved to Minneapolis where Harry attended Robert Fulton elementary school.

After graduating from Southwest High School, Harry attended the University of Minnesota where he met his future wife, Mary.  Both were engaged in conducting freshmen orientation events.  After graduation, Harry received his M.A., also from the University and married Mary in 1968.  They moved to the Seattle area where Harry taught English at a Tacoma junior college and Mary taught in a local elementary school.

After leaving Washington, on a Regent’s Scholarship, Harry enrolled at the University of Minnesota where he received his Ph D in American Studies.  On graduation, he joined Wilson Learning Corporation, an international organization engaged in providing consulting services in sales and organizational leadership and he and Mary settled in Minneapolis and began raising their family. Harry and Mary enjoyed their vacation cottage near Lake Superior and Harry loved his hobby as an accomplished amateur photographer and Mary her gardening.

Harry authored or co-authored at least three books, two of which are currently on sale at Amazon: “Aftershock: Helping People Through Corporate Change” (1987) and “Navigating Through Change” (1994).  As part of his work and book promotions, Harry traveled widely, frequently with Mary, including trips to Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, Dubai and Paris and some “less exotic” places, as he says, such as Newark and Des Moines.

Subsequent to working for Wilson Learning, Harry and Mary began their own consulting business, Woodward’s Learning, International, where Harry spent the balance of his working career.

Harry is remembered by his family as caring and calming influence seeing the big picture and looking for practical ways to solve problems.  He was interested in current events, frequently debating issues and events with family and friends.  He, also, never complained about his illness or confinement.  Harry always had an engaging wit and wry sense of humor which, undoubtedly, served him well in his consulting work.