Ruth Joan Woodman

Ruth Joan Woodman, of Ridgecrest, CA died after a long struggle with dementia on July 16, 2024 at the age of 95.  Joan was born April 23, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan where she lived with her parents, Russell and Marian Tow, and younger brother, Russell Jr.   Her father owned a cement block shop and her mother was a registered nurse.  After graduation from high school Joan attended Wayne State University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Medical Technology.  The dozen or so "Med Tech" graduate friends kept in touch for life!

Joan began her medical technology career at a blood draw clinic in a Detroit hospital.  A year later she was working for the Atomic Energy Commission in Ann Arbor, Michigan and waitressing to save money to travel.  In 1953 she and lifelong friend Evelyn traveled via ocean liner to Europe where she saw the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II before touring the European mainland for several weeks.

After her European sojourn, she sought fellow adventurers and joined the University of Michigan's Graduate Student Outing Club where she met her future husband, Alan Woodman.  When Al graduated with his Masters from U. of M., they married and in January of 1955 they loaded up the Plymouth and moved to his new job at China Lake.  Joan worked in Dr. Lohr Burkhardt's inorganic chemistry lab until their first child, Peter, was born.  Fourteen months later Amy arrived and the family was complete.

Unfortunately, Amy was born with a severe heart defect and Joan worked tirelessly to get an accurate diagnosis.  Finally, Children's Hospital in Los Angeles determined the actual issue and in 1963 Amy had successful open-heart surgery.

Joan was involved with PTA for many years and served as President for several.  She was a substitute teacher for 10+ years which she really enjoyed.  The ever-changing schedule and subjects were a good thing for her; rarely would she say no to a teaching opportunity.  She was a den leader for a Cub Scout Pack and taught Sunday School at the All-Faith Chapel.  Joan became an excellent cook and baker.  Her Christmas sweet rolls were "to die for".  She loved to put food away, canning and making jam with home-grown crops.   Always hikers, Joan and Al added square dancing to their aerobic repertoire.

Like Al, she developed a passion for desert geology and rock art and together they visited sites throughout the southwest US.  Many of their trips were guided and she took detailed notes for each site visit.  They assisted with Forest Service archeological excavations in the Sierra Nevada Mtns.  With their love of archaeology, a trip to Egypt was most memorable.

Joan was very active with the Maturango Museum, especially at the gift shop but wherever she was needed.  She was a willing kitchen assistant for Sue Byrd, director of museum receptions and fundraiser luncheons.  She assisted with the annual Wildflower Show for at least 20 years, attended countless natural history field trips, and co-led many trips to Little Petroglyph Canyon.

However, nothing will take away the memories of our family vacations that she and Al created.  We kids learned that it was a big place out there and that many of those places were fabulous.  None of us were timid about travel.  Joan's family will also never forget her generous spirit and never-ending drive to be productive.

Joan was predeceased by daughter Kim Kastle in November 2023 (Amy changed her name as an adult).  Alan, her husband of 69 years passed away six weeks prior to Joan's death.  Survivors include son Peter and daughter-in-law Susan, grandson Sam, and son-in-law Robin.  In Fall of 2022, Alan and Joan moved to High Desert Haven.  The family would like to sincerely thank the caregivers of the memory care unit for their patience and assistance for the past year and a half.  We are also deeply appreciative of the Personal Care Services from Ridgecrest Regional Hospital and Premier Hospice.