It is with a truly heavy heart that I write to let you know that the founder of SEE Inc. and my personal mentor, Bob Woodward, has passed away.
Many of you know, and some may not, my first opportunity to meet Bob was through contractor JG Miller, a long time SEE Inc. client. From that meeting, I came to know a person who would not only become my teacher, but my friend as well. He brought me into the fold at SEE Inc. with the intention of passing on a legacy. I know that must have been hard for him, like any parent who watches their child leave for school or a father who gives his daughter away at her wedding. However, Bob was generous at letting me grow into my position here at SEE Inc. It was a partnership born of nothing more than a handshake. This tells you what kind of man he was.
For myself and those who have worked with us over the years, I’m sure none of you will ever look at a red pen the same way again. For those who worked for Bob, that inescapable pile of reports with red ink meant the need for better scrutiny and attention to detail. Bob would say to me “I know this bugs you, but it will make you better.” It really did. Through the grace of time, which has given me the ability to look back, I now recognize that through that red pen I was being molded and forced to grow into the person I am today.
Bob poured his heart into SEE Inc. It was obvious when you would see him teach or see the inspection reports he would hand type (because, of course, he always refused a computer). I still have one of his typewriters in my office today. It was amazing how good he was with that thing. Every day Bob would visit site after site, speak to worker after worker, sometimes he would get cussed and yelled at, but when OSHA came knocking he was the first person they would call. At his retirement party, Rob Matuga of the National Association of Home Builders asked Bob how many people he thought he saved over the years. Bob simply replied, “You know, I have never really thought of it.” Bob has authored hundreds of articles, written thousands of reports and probably trained tens of thousands of workers during his time. I must admit, I too have wondered how many. I’m sure Bob knows that number now.
Over the years I learned that Bob had passions, but none were more important than his family. Bob talked endlessly about his wife Peggie. He loved to tell how she was a great friend to go out for a cold beer; how she would listen and support him. She never stopped listening. She never stopped loving Bob. I’m sure she will miss her friend for some time to come. When Peggie told me of Bob’s passing I found it telling that she ended up supporting and comforting me, not the other way around. Bob would speak with pride about his son and daughter-in-law. And he was never at a loss for words when talking about his two grandchildren, Alexander and Nathan. I remember they would come to visit and Bob would try to clear his schedule to be with them. When they left I would get all of the details of their adventures and how much he enjoyed spoiling them. Every story was told with a wrinkle in his smile and a gleam in his eye not to be seen until he spoke of them again.
I could amass an entire book of the stories Bob expounded on during our many conversations. I listened for hours like a little kid talking to his favorite uncle as he talked of how he grew up, about the nuns and a chalk board, his early childhood pets, the pranks he would play, the NUCA conferences and friends he had the pleasure of knowing both in and out of the industry. Bob and I had an opportunity on at least one occasion to speak of what happens when we leave the earth as we know it. Bob believed in heaven, but one time, after the loss of a pet, I remember him asking, “I think animals go to heaven. What do you think happens?” I responded, “I personally believe that when we are in heaven we visit those we loved, two and four legged alike, and reflect on the experiences we had with them. We get to do what we want and enjoy.” Bob quipped, “Sounds good! I like that!” and after about a minute we both chuckled and he said “Ok, enough with that and back to work.” As I write this article I can't help but think of Bob on a sailboat, visiting all of his old cronies, seeing all of those he loved...both two and four legged alike.
I read somewhere that you will have a handful of people that truly make an impact on your life. People who actually change your course, for good or for bad. I don't know exactly how many people have changed the pattern of my life to date, but as an individual Bob continues to be the driving force that keeps me focused on my life goals and the business venture that he started and I continue. For those blessed enough to know Bob, he will always be a thought away. Personally, I will miss him because Bob was much more than a partner to me. He was a mentor, a teacher, a councilor, a family member, and most of all a friend.
Matt Murphy
Peg has asked that instead of flowers anyone who would like to send something could send a donation to the Hospice Center that took care of both Bob and Peg through this trying time. Cornerstone Hospice: 2445 Lane Park Road, Taveres, Florida 34778
