RALEIGH

David King Woodward, 72, passed unexpectedly Sunday, August 9th, 2020, surrounded by his loving wife and three children. He was born July 26th, 1948, in Plainville, MA, the oldest son of Richard Woodward and the late Geraldine Peckham.

Following graduation from the University of Massachusetts, Dave married the love of this life, Nancy Bertoni, and entered the US Marine Corp. After completing bootcamp, he honorably served 13 months in Vietnam.

Upon returning home, he earned his Masters degree from Clemson University, after which he and his family made their home in Raleigh, North Carolina. This past July, Dave & Nancy celebrated 51 years of marriage.

Dave held a position as a Wildlife Biologist at NC State University for over three decades, working with a wide spectrum of animals, from woodpeckers and pine voles to black bears and alligators. He spent the last few years of his career researching Eastern Pine snakes, which was his passion—Dave never met a reptile he didn't like. He gave countless educational presentations and took great pride in teaching many people to not fear snakes. If you needed help with an animal, Dave was the one to call.

Dave and his family have been active members at St. Andrews United Methodist Church of Raleigh, NC for over 30 years, where he took part in many outreach programs and served as a Stephen Minister.

In addition to his mother, Dave was predeceased by his brother Miles. Surviving, in addition to his wife and his father, are his daughter Jennifer Neighbors, her husband Paul and their two children Keegan and Skylar; his two sons, Ben Woodward, his wife Dawnya and their two sons Henry and Miles, and Chris Woodward, his wife Amanda, and their three children, Natalie, Logan and Kylie; two sisters, Crystal Maddocks and Diane Lindemayer, and brother Charles Woodward.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Dave's life from 10am to 12noon this Saturday, August 15th, 2020 at Montlawn Funeral Home. A private service for family members will be held afterward.

Those who wish to remember Dave in a special way may make a gift in his memory to a charity of their choice.