Thief River Falls – Rick Woodruff, 72, of Thief River Falls, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024 in Thief River Falls with his loving family at his side. This came after a courageous 16-month battle against Glioblastoma stage 4 brain cancer.
Rick Woodruff was born to Harold and Paticia (Curtin) Woodruff in San Diego, CA, on June 30, 1952.
In 1973 he started his career with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a government land surveyor. He and fellow surveyors traveled from state to state, bringing him to Boulder, CO in 1977, where he met the love of his life, Nancy.
In 1979 Rick’s work brought them back to Boulder, CO where they were married. From there they traveled around the United States for 7 years before settling in Fredericksburg, Maryland. During this time they had three children, Keith born in 1981 in El Paso, TX, Scott born in 1984 in Dearborn, MI, and Jennifer whom was born in 1985 in Williamsburg, VA.
In 1989 Rick joined the International Boundary Commission and opened the Central Regional Office in Thief River Falls. He and his family of 5 have happily made Thief River Falls home since then.
After 26 years, Rick retired from the government. Because of his love for cars, Rick then chose to take various positions at auto stores around town and his love for people brought him to Digi-key for over 10 years.
Rick was an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and sightseeing. He enjoyed spending time working on cars in the garage, cooking and baking, and playing with his dog, Molly, but above all he loved being a grandpa to Maddie, Mason, Zane, and Calen. His grandchildren truly lit up his world.
Rick is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Nancy; children, Keith, Scott (Karley), and Jenny (Steve) Manney; grandchildren, Maddie and Mason Woodruff, and Zane and Calen Manney; sister, Lori Woodruff; sister-in-law, Patty Woodruff; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, John and Gloria Waite, Joan Ambs Bill and Carol Waite, Tom and Barb Waite, and Kathy and George Van Tiem.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Patricia Woodruff; brother, Steve; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Janet Waite; brother-in-law, Richard Ambs.
There will be no visitation or funeral service. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com and sympathy cards may be sent to Johnson Funeral Service and will be forwarded to Rick’s family.
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