Obituary of Woodward Romine

Woodward “Woody” Romine, 93 of 802 W. King Street, Smethport, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on Friday, February 28, 2014 at Bradford Regional Medical Center. Born October 14, 1920, in South Bend, Indiana, he was the son of the late Lawrence Romine and Madge Woodward Clayton. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Jeanne O’Connor Romine. Woody was a 1938 graduate of Central High School in South Bend, Indiana. Following graduation from Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana in 1942, he enlisted as a naval officer in the US Navy where he commanded a minesweeper in the Pacific theater until the end of the war. Following the war he attended the University of Geneva in Switzerland where he earned a Masters Degree in Political Science. He had a distinguished career in public service for the next 43 years. Initially, working with displaced persons in Germany, he subsequently entered the Foreign Service of the US State Department where he spent the next 30 years. Highlights of his career include serving in Germany during the Occupation. During the Cold War he served as Political Officer in Warsaw, Poland (1957-1959), and Political Officer/Ambassador Aide in Paris, France (1959-1965). He then returned the State Department in the United States until 1974 at which time he was posted to Strasbourg, France as Consul General (1974-1977). His last foreign post was in Vienna, Austria as Chief of the Political Section (1978-1980). For 10 years following his formal retirement he continued to work for the State Department with the Freedom of Information program. He and his wife, Jeanne spent half of their time in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and half in Smethport. In Gaithersburg Woody attended the French Protestant Church in Washington, DC and while in Smethport he attended the United Methodist Church. Woody’s diverse interests and facility in communicating with people made him the consummate diplomat. He was absolutely passionate about France, its history, culture, and was fluent in French. Blessed with a wonderful tenor voice, Woody loved singing and did so in various choirs and special musical programs. He also loved walking his cherished border collies, his constant companions. Woody was a “Man for All Seasons,” beloved by all who met and knew him. In addition to his wife Jeanne, he is survived by a son, Woodward Romine, (Sally) Reseda, CA, a daughter Rebecca Romine (Al Olson), Stoughton, WI, a step-son Douglas Brims (Cheryl), Los Angeles, CA, a step daughter Kitty Brims Moynahan (James), Silver Springs, MD. Woody’s grandchildren are Nora Romine, Charlottesville, VA; Rachel Romine, Richmond, Virginia, Nathan Romine, Reseda, CA, Rebecca Henderson (Jonathan) Covington, LA; Molly Boczkowski (James) Dumfries, VA; grandson John Connor Moynahan Silver Spring MD. He has three great grandchildren Ethan, Owen and Luke Boczkowski. He also leaves a wonderful extended family of nieces, a nephew and many cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Rebecca Banghart, his brother Warren Romine, his daughter C. Rachel Romine and his step daughter Elise Nevin Brims. Visitation and funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Church, King & Church St. in Smethport. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 AM followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM, with Reverend Rob Hernan presiding. Military Honors will follow, conducted by the American Legion; Bucktail Post #138 Color Guard of Smethport. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, South Bend, Indiana. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Hamlin Memorial Library. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport, PA.