WOODWARD, Frederick Robert "Bob," Jr.

Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

WOODWARD, Frederick Robert "Bob", Jr. (Dubuque, IA, October 26, 1936--Dubuque, IA, Sept. 3, 2017) . The son of M. Jeanne Woodward and Frederick Robert WOODWARD, Sr., "Bob," as he was known after his father's death, received elementary education in Texas and Dubuque and graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1955 and Drake University in 1959. Bob married Barbara Sullivan in 1971.

Bob’s career started at the Fort Dodge Messenger as a photojournalist and feature writer. Bob was a photojournalist and correspondent for WCI Dubuque Radio and the Telegraph Herald during the VIETNAM WAR and in the Middle East. He would take pictures and have a strong interest in photojournalism for the rest of his life. Bob authored a biography of deceased Dubuque artist Franesco LICCIARDI and founded, edited and published the Monoposto Register Magazine.

Bob spent most of his professional career with WOODWARD COMMUNICATIONS, INC. He worked as reporter, Assistant General Manager, and General Manager at Dubuque radio station KDTH when it was owned by WCI. He helped the company expand its radio properties into the Appleton and Green Bay, Wisconsin areas. (1) Following his broadcast experience, Bob transitioned into print as Production Manager for the Telegraph Herald. During this period, Bob oversaw the installation of the first Goss doublewide offset press. Bob served as Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Executive Committee until the death of his brother William WOODWARD in August of 1995. Bob was then elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He resigned as CEO in 2002, but remained as a member of the board of directors.

Bob served for several years as a Director of DUBUQUE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY and HEARTLAND FINANCIAL USA, INC.

Local activities included: DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART (trustee, chairman), Four Mounds Foundation (co-founder, director, and president), DUBUQUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (co-founder and director), Dubuque Lamaze Association (director), Dubuque Child Care, Inc. (co-founder and director), DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB (director), Northeast Iowa Council Boy Scouts (director), Dubuque United Way (chairman, campaign chairman), YMCA/YWCA (trustee), CLARKE UNIVERSITY (Development Council), UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE (Development Council), LORAS COLLEGE (Arts Advisory Council), DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (director), Dubuque Area Industrial Bureau (director), and Dubuque Community Services Planning Commission (director).

Environmental service included membership and support of numerous organizations, including the Iowa National Heritage Foundation (Director). Bob also served as a Director in professional organizations that include Iowa Daily Press Association, Iowa Broadcaster Association, and the national Inland Daily Press Association.

Recognition of Bob's efforts included Dubuque County Conservation Society Outstanding Leadership Award (Mines of Spain preservation efforts), Dubuque County Fine Arts Society Elisha Darlin Arts Award (leading the funding of the new location for the DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART), National Society of Fund Raising Executives Outstanding Individual Philanthropist Award (2000), Dubuque County Historical Society Treasures of Dubuque (recognition of the Woodward Family), JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT BUSINESS HALL OF FAME, and the Grand Opera House Hall of Fame (with spouse Barbara).

Fascination with racing was first evident with a bicycle that he named “Lightning." Bob raced many types of cars: hot rods, roadsters, and a Formula Junior during their seasons in auto racing in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as historic sports car, Formula Junior, Formula Two, and Formula One racers.

Bob enjoyed racing competition, whether it was a “dice”, heads-up race with another driver, winning a race, or winning a series against many competitors. In addition to winning multiple series class championships, he won the US Formula Junior Championship and twice won the Monoposto Racing Grand Championship Fangio Trophy.

With other historic racing enthusiasts, Bob co-founded the Monoposto Register, a North American historic car road racing organization which grew to the level of standards and participation consistent with international historic car organizations in Formula Junior racing. Bob received North American and international recognition for his contributions to vintage racing, including: Vintage Motorsport Grand Prix Cup, the Count Lurani Trophy, Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association Distinguished Service Award, numerous recognitions from the Monoposto Register, including the Distinguished Service Award, and Vintage Motorsport Knock-Off Award for Outstanding Contribution to Monoposto Racing.

Bob was recognized for his contributions to racing by the International Formula Junior Historic Racing Association (FJHRA) awarding the” Bob Woodward Trophy” during its Diamond Jubilee racing series. FJHRA, which represents Formula Junior racing worldwide, celebrating its Diamond Jubilee from 2016 – 2018 with a race series throughout the world. Only one other American had a trophy named in his honor in the Jubilee series: Peter Revson, the last American born driver to win a Formula One race.

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Source:

Obituary. Bob Woodward, Jr. Online: http://www.hoffmannschneiderfuneralhomes.com/obituary/bob-woodward

1. Goldstein, Bennet, "Former WCI Chairman Bob Woodward Jr. Dies," Telegraph Herald, September 1, 2017, p. 3

Families in Business. (magazine). Telegraph Herald, July 30, 2010, p. 68