In Memory: Roger Lee Woodard

Dear Laurentian Community,

I write today to share the sad news that Roger Lee Woodard, a longtime member of the St. Lawrence University community, passed away on February 18 at the age of 75. For 18 years, Roger served on our dining services staff and then on our facilities team, serving as the Zamboni operator and ice technician at Appleton Arena until his retirement in 2010.

Roger took great pride in maintaining the ice at Appleton, ensuring that student-athletes, coaches and fans alike enjoyed the best possible conditions. His expertise extended beyond St. Lawrence, as he was later called upon to assist and train staff at SUNY Canton in the management of their hockey rink. During the historic ice storm of 1998, Roger went above and beyond, staying on campus to manage the Appleton Arena facility through a power outage that resulted in the ice melting.

Roger’s passion for his work was matched by his love of the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing and could often be found immersed in Western films, especially those starring John Wayne. A true country music fan, he had an appreciation for what he called “real” country music.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Newton and stepdaughter, Laura Jean Newton—both valued members of our dining services team; his stepson, Gerald V. Newton; his brother, Johnny; and his sisters, Pauline, Susan and Linda.

Roger was a beloved presence at St. Lawrence, and his contributions to the Laurentian community will not be forgotten. Please join us in celebrating Roger’s life by sharing your memories of him on the St. Lawrence University website. You can read the remembrances of others here.

Sincerely,
Kate Morris