John Stewart "Stew" Woodward

John Stewart “Stew” Woodward, aged 88, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2024. Born on July 22, 1936, in Dallas, Texas, Stew lived a life full of love, adventure, accomplishment, and service. He is remembered as a devoted family man, generous friend, world traveler, avid adventurer, committed volunteer, and aerospace engineer who played a key role in NASA’s Apollo 11 mission, ensuring the successful launch of the first manned mission to the moon.

Stew graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with degrees in engineering physics and business, and later earned a master's degree in research and development from Florida State University. He enjoyed an impressive career in aerospace, including his time at Cape Canaveral working for Boeing as a NASA contractor on several Apollo missions. He often shared stories of "sending man to the moon with a slide rule and a bucket brigade." Stew later worked for various engineering companies in Colorado before retiring from Martin Marietta.

Stew and Nancy (his beloved wife and travel companion of 26 years), explored the world together. Their travels took them to Peru, Patagonia, Argentina, Chile, Panama, Costa Rica, Egypt, Russia, and numerous European countries. They also visited New Zealand, Iceland, China, the Galápagos Islands, India, Thailand, South Africa, Morocco, Zimbabwe, and Israel. Closer to home, they enjoyed visiting national and state parks across the United States.

Stew’s passion for travel and the mountains led him to Nepal, where he organized and led 15 trekking expeditions through the Himalayas with his friend, JP Lama. He also cherished Colorado’s great outdoors, spending countless days camping and exploring. He climbed 40 of the state’s towering 14,000-foot peaks and found joy in the wilderness he called home.

In retirement, Stew discovered a new passion for sharing his knowledge with the community. For 16 years, he volunteered at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science as part of their "Space Odyssey" exhibit, educating visitors about space exploration.

Stew was a dedicated member of the Flatirons Ski Club for over 25 years, organizing and leading countless ski trips, summer camping and hut trips, canoeing adventures, along with a yearly trip to Moab every spring. He remained active on the slopes, enjoying downhill and cross-country skiing well into his 80s.

Stew’s enthusiasm wasn’t limited to the outdoors—he was also a passionate sports fan. He avidly supported the University of Colorado Buffaloes, attending many football and basketball games, and enjoyed cheering on the Denver Nuggets and Broncos. Known for his sharp wit and love of puns, Stew’s humor brought joy to all who knew him.

Stew especially loved spending time with his family, whether it was sharing his love of the mountains through hiking, skiing, and camping, or taking family trips over school breaks. He was a great Papa to his grandkids and enjoyed playing with them in the hot tub, letting the kids climb on him in the hammock, cheering them on in their many activities, sharing photos from his adventures with Nancy, or recounting tales from his fascinating career.

Stew is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Woodward; his brother Don Woodward (wife Pam and son Clint); his children Marty Allen (husband John) and Douglas Woodward (wife Mary); and his stepdaughters Beth Coppock (husband Eric) and Deborah McGown (husband Drake). He was a loving grandfather to Tyler (wife Brittney), Douglas (wife Janell), Annie (husband Corey), Catie, Kyle (wife Sarah), Jessica (husband Levi), McKinley, Elias, Logan, Charley, and Ava; and a devoted great-grandfather to Brooks, Henry, Charlie, Cole, Rosemary, and Baxter.

Details for a celebration of Stew’s life will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Tru Community Care Hospice, the Salvation Army, or the Denver Rescue Mission, honoring Stew’s lifelong commitment to giving back.

Stew’s legacy of innovation, adventure, and humor will live on in the heavens he helped explore, the mountains he climbed, and the lives he touched with his kindness and wisdom. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.