Dr. Robert Louis “Dr. Bob” Woodgeard, age 80, of Bryan, Ohio, died at 5:19 P.M. on Monday, October 7, 2013, at his home. Dr. Bob was a veterinarian for fifty years and was the owner of the Bryan Area Animal Hospital. He was a very active member of the community, serving as both President and Vice President of the Williams County Humane Society, where he was the driving force behind the new Williams County Humane Society Animal Shelter and Memorial Garden. He served as President of the Bryan Area Chamber of Commerce for two years and was honored with the Bryan Area Foundation Good Citizen Award in 2010. Bob was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church for over fifty years. He served on the Church Board and was a member of the Emmaus Community.
Dr. Bob was also active with the Bryan Rotary Club, Masonic Temple, Ducks Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever, where he was given the Conservation Award in 2007. He volunteered his professional services for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska and the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Minnesota for many years, as well as working with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, United Kingdom, England, and locally provided his services to the K-9 Units of the Williams County Sheriff’s Department, West Unity Police Department and Montpelier Police Department. Professionally, he was awarded the Ohio Veterinary Medical Board Distinguished Service Award, the Ohio State University Veterinary Medicine Alumni Recognition Award in 1999 and the United States Department of Agriculture Distinguished Service Award.
Robert Louis Woodgeard was born on April 8, 1933, in Logan, Ohio, the son of Delmas and Viola (Henthorne) Woodgeard. He graduated from Lancaster High School and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Summa Cum Laude, in 1958. On June 12, 1955, Bob married his high school sweetheart, Jeanette (Sammy) Goodwin, in Lancaster, Ohio, and she survives.
Bob is also survived by his children, Kimberly (Kevin) Shaffer, of Bryan, Kit (Toni) Woodgeard, of Highpoint, North Carolina, Todd Woodgeard, of Bryan, and Tracy (Rick) Mettert, of Bryan; six grandchildren, Kailey Shaffer, Ricky Hiatt, Alex Woodgeard, Rob Woodgeard, Skylar Mettert and Stevie Mettert; and one great-grandchild, Caitriona Woodgeard; brothers, Donald Woodgeard and Richard (Bobbie) Woodgeard; and four nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A gathering celebrating the life of Dr. Robert L. Woodgeard will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2013, from 1:00-5:00 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall of Wesley United Methodist Church, Bryan. Private family grave side services were held in Brown Cemetery. Service arrangements have been entrusted to Krill Funeral Service, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan, Ohio.
Memorials in the name of Dr. Robert L. Woodgeard may be given to the Williams County Humane Society.