Rev. Dr. Sherwood "Woody" M. Strodel

Woody was born in Buffalo, New York on January 23, 1932 and is preceded in death by his parents Viola Julia Smith Strodel and Mathias Sylvester Strodel.

His childhood years were formed around faith, family, sports, and the outdoors. He credited his parents for his training in sharing the gospel and understanding the benefits of hard work. When he wasn’t delivering milk for the Strodel family dairy business, Woody was honing his basketball skills with intensity and discipline. He loved the outdoors and often spoke of the family cabin where he developed his passion for camping, fishing, and water sports.

Woody graduated from Fosdick Masten Park High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Gordon College followed by a Master of Divinity at Gordon-Conwell Seminary. He received a Master of Education from Boston University and began his passion for ministry at the historic Park Street Church in Boston. While serving at Park Street, he was a member of the executive committee of the greater Boston Billy Graham Crusade in 1964. He developed education programs as Minister of Christian Education at the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale. From there, he was the Associate Minister of the first Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, with a special emphasis on Christian education, camping and institutional ministries. He then spent nearly 40 years in ministry with Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas as a teacher, mentor, and leader in Christian education across the country. Throughout his career, Woody made an impact with his creativity in camping and served for 24 years as administrator of several Christian camps. He also directed mission trips for high school youth to Costa Rica and Mexico City and served on the General Council of the Latin American Mission for 18 years. In addition, he led a number of Holy Land tours to Egypt, Greece, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey.

After more than 37 years of faithful service, Woody received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Seminary in 1996. This thrill was only surpassed by the honor of being named Pastor Emeritus upon his retirement from HPPC in 2004 ending his active ministry that spanned nearly 60 years.

Woody met the love of his life, Viola Dawn Grew, while attending Gordon College. He was active on campus and served as the Student Council President and Captain of the basketball team. The two married shortly after graduation and walked hand in hand for 62 years until her death in 2017. The effervescent college cheerleader, Dawn was his greatest supporter both on and off the courts. They were a team in every aspect of marriage and ministry, setting an example as a Christian couple who honored the Lord.

Although he stood out among his peers at 6’3, Woody was far more recognized for his uncompromising values, consistent character, straight talk, practical applications, dedication to details, extreme loyalty, and undeniable faithfulness. A man of great preparation and study, Woody shared his understanding of the Word through decades of teaching in-depth studies, adult Sunday School, and intense Bible courses including the Bethel Series and Discipleship Training. True to his life verse, 2 Timothy 1:7, he unwaveringly believed “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” Known for his quiet leadership and poignant wisdom, Woody was a gifted mentor to other ministers, church staff members and the many congregations he served.

To know Woody was to quote Woody. He had an uncanny way of sharing insights and pithy sayings later to become known as “Woodyisms”. Whether it was the simple reminder that “Fatigue Makes Cowards of Us All” or understanding we are “Blessed to be a Blessing,” listening to Woody usually meant you walked away with valuable words to apply to your life. A great encourager and always optimistic, he often said, “Just remember, we’re gonna win!” His “80 Woodyisms Notebook” became a family treasure and keepsake shared with his grandchildren on the celebration of his 80th birthday.

At heart, Woody was a family man finding his greatest joys as a husband, father, and grandfather (Papa). He loved his family with a quiet strength and undeniable steadiness. He rarely missed an opportunity to be with family and was known to quietly sit at a performance or on the sidelines, watching his grandchildren with great pride in various activities and sports. Afterwards, he was always sure to share a quick insight (especially if it was basketball) and lavish encouragement.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Dawn, his brother Miles Mathias Strodel, his brother-in-law Wendell Grew and wife Marjorie Grew.

Woody is survived by his son Daniel S. Strodel and wife Adrienne, his daughter Susan S. Harvey and husband Walter, his precious grandchildren: Shelby Strodel Rizzuto (Mike), Benjamin Strodel, Brooke Strodel and Matthew Harvey, sister-in-law Grace K. Strodel, brother Mathias S. Strodel and wife Marty, and multiple nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Woody’s life and legacy will be held on Wednesday, December 11 at 3 pm at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd. A reception will follow in the Hunt Lobby. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Highland Park Presbyterian Church. (www.hppres.org)