Captain Edmund T. Wooldridge, Jr., USN (Ret.), died at Annapolis, MD, of natural causes on January 17, 2023. “Tim” was born in Annapolis, the son of Marion Johnson and Admiral Edmund T. Wooldridge (U.S. Naval Academy, 1920), on October 16, 1928.
Tim graduated from Western High School in Washington, D.C., in 1945, entered the U.S. Naval Academy, graduated with the Class of 1950, and earned his wings at Pensacola in April 1952. During sea duty and shore duty over the next twenty-six years, he enjoyed flying with various fighter squadrons on numerous deployments on Atlantic Fleet carriers. Shore duty included the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School (Class # 16), Electronics Test Division, National War College (NWC), George Washington University (MS, International Affairs), and the Strategic Research Group (NWC). The highlight of four different staff assignments was a tour as Flag Secretary to Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe.
After retiring from active duty in 1976, Tim joined the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), as Assistant Curator. He eventually became Chairman, Aeronautics Department, and Assistant Director for Operations, after which he was selected to be the Adm. Dewitt C. Ramsey Fellow at NASM, writing a number of award-winning books on naval aviation history. After twenty-four years at NASM, Tim retired and volunteered to supervise the administration of the U.S. Naval Institute Photo Archives. He enjoyed spectator sports of all kinds, particularly Navy football, reading, raising Cairn Terriers, and enjoying life with family and friends on the Chesapeake Bay. In 2010, he moved with his first wife to the Ginger Cove Retirement Community near Annapolis. He was active in Residents Club activities, chaired the Employee Appreciation Fund (EAF) for five years, and received a Volunteer Award for his contributions to the Ginger Cove Community.
Tim was predeceased by his parents, his brother Joseph (USNA ‘59), his sister Lee Duval, his first wife Mary Rule Wooldridge, to whom he was married for fifty-eight years, daughter-in-law Kathy Wooldridge and step son Stuart Moore. He is survived by his second wife, Martha Moore Wooldridge whom he married in 2012, four children from his first marriage - Tyler (USNA ’76), Mary Louise, Richard (USNA ’80, Sherrie), and David Wooldridge, seven grandchildren - Ashley, Lindsey, Brock, Richard (Emily), Brett, Blake, and Caine Wooldridge, step-granddaughter, Catherine Moore, great-grandchild Carter, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will take place on Friday, February 17 at the Naval Academy Chapel at 10:30 AM, followed by inurnment at the Naval Academy Columbarium.
Memorial donations may be made to the Ginger Cove Residents Club (EAF), 4000 River Crescent Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401.
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