Commander Robert Eugene Woodbury, USN retired, of San Antonio, Texas passed from this earth September 16, 2019 with his children by his side. Mr. Woodbury was born May 17, 1929 in Emporia, Kansas, the son of the late Phillip R. Woodbury and Marjorie Thomas Woodbury. He graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in 1951 and in June enlisted in the United States Navy. Mr. Woodbury enjoyed a twenty-year career in the Navy as a pilot, flying jets such as the A-4, A-7, and F-4. He received many medals during his career such as the Air Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Merit Medal.
He met his first wife, Judith F. Albin (of Rockport, Texas) while stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas for flight training. They were married in 1954, shortly after he received his Navy wings. Mr. Woodbury served in several Attack Squadrons, during his career including VA-172, VA-44, VA-125, and his last, VA-192, the world famous “Golden Dragons”. During his time with the Golden Dragons, the squadron received many Awards and Commendations including the coveted CONNAVAIRPAC Battle Pennant "E", the CVW-19 Top Gun Award and the CNO Safety Award for five accident free months without one man lost. Mr. Woodbury took great pride in these awards but especially the latter.
Commander and Mrs. Woodbury had four children and were stationed many places state-side during his career. He gave his children the gift of seeing much of the country each time they made a move. They visited the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert, the Rocky Mountains, San Diego, San Francisco, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the Great Salt Lake and numerous forts, beaches and ghost towns, just to name a few. After his retirement from the Navy, the family moved to his hometown of Emporia, Kansas, where he joined his father in his real estate company. He enjoyed many years working alongside his father until his father’s passing in 1980. In 1984 he moved to Colorado where he enjoyed hiking, biking, skiing and all things Colorado had to offer. In 2007 Mr. Woodbury moved to San Antonio, Texas and resided at USAA Towers. He made many friends there and enjoyed the company of fellow veterans from all military branches. It was during this time he met and married Madelyn Sherrell in 2008 and enjoyed a life with her until her passing in 2012. In 2013 he met Pat Spencer and the two married in July 2014. They enjoyed their time together immensely, making every moment count before Alzheimer’s claimed his life.
A devoted husband and father, Mr. Woodbury leaves behind his wife Patricia Spencer Woodbury of San Antonio, TX, a son Stephen Woodbury of Salina, KS, a daughter Margaret Smith of Rockport, TX, grandchildren, Tiffany (Drew) Crist, Garren Johnson, Brittany (Darryl) Dadon, Mathew Wilkens, Michael (Kristin) Woodbury, Christopher (Rachel) Woodbury, Sarah Smith, William Smith and two great grandchildren, Colton Woodbury and Viola Woodbury. He was preceded in death by two of his children, Anne (Tom) Johnson and James (Kim) Woodbury, his first wife Judith Albin Woodbury Galipo, his brother Phil Woodbury and his sister Elaine (Bob) Lawrence.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 4, 2019 at 1:00PM at Sunset Memorial Park 1701 Austin Hwy in San Antonio, TX with interment at Fort Sam National Cemetery immediately following.
