Remembering Dr. DeWayne Woodring
Dr. DeWayne S. Woodring passed away on Saturday, July 4. He served as RCMA’s Executive Director/CEO for 30 years, growing it into a renown international association. Dr. Woodring forged a lasting legacy, touching the lives of thousands of faith-based meeting professionals. The RCMA family extends our deepest sympathy to his loved ones.
OBITUARY
DeWayne Stanley Woodring
NOVEMBER 10, 1931 – JULY 4, 2020
DeWayne Stanley Woodring was the only child of Vera & Stanley Woodring, born on Nov 10, 1931 in Gary, Indiana. Growing up in Gary, DeWayne was Youth Director at the YMCA, in addition to establishing & directing Young People’s Theatre. This is where he met his wife of 63 years, Donna J. Wishart. DeWayne earned his undergraduate degree at Northwestern University, as well as his Masters at Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern. In addition, he was awarded Doctor of Divinity with Salem College and Doctor of Humane Letters with Mount Union College. He began his career as associate minister at First Methodist Church in Eugene, OR. Later his profession carried him to South Dakota, Ohio, Illinois, and a return to his home state of Indiana. Retirement brought him to Texas.
DeWayne’s career included serving as Associate General Secretary with the General Council on Finance & Administration of The United Methodist Church & assisting with the World Methodist Conference. His great pride was building an international meeting planning association, RCMA (Religious Conference Management Association), from 100 members to 2400 at his retirement. In 1994 he received the highest honor in the meetings industry when he was inducted into the Convention Industry Council Hall of Leaders for his distinguished contributions to the field.
He was named by Convention South magazine as one of the 25 persons who have made the greatest impact on the meetings industry in the past 25 years.
DeWayne had a love of travel which he shared with his wife & family. He & Donna led tours all over the world each year, visiting 136 countries on 6 of the 7 continents.
DeWayne is survived by his wife, Donna; daughters, Beth Woodring Carey, Judy Woodring Bigelow and son-in-law, Rick Bigelow; grandsons; Scott Bigelow and Chris Bigelow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity in honor of DeWayne: AAMDS (Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation) or a favored charity of your choice. Services have yet to be scheduled.