Raymond Gibbs Woodman Jr.

YARMOUTH – Raymond Gibbs Woodman Jr., 93, formerly of Auburn, geologist, collector, and outdoor enthusiast, passed away after a period of declining health on March 29, 2021 at Brentwood Center in Yarmouth.

Ray was born July 15, 1927 in Lewiston, the son of Raymond Gibbs Woodman Sr. and Gladys (Parks) Woodman. He was a 1945 graduate of Edward Little High School, and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving state side during World War II. He then earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1950. On June 26, 1961, he married the love of his life, Dorothy Ann Krackenberger, of Lewiston. She passed away in September 1990.

Ray was employed by the Maine Department of Transportation for 38 years as field geologist, air photo interpreter, and soils research scientist. He was involved in the delineation of watershed areas for proposed bridge and culvert locations, and engineering soils types for the proposed new interstate highway corridors. During his tenure with the state, he was also involved with NASA research using SKYLAB, and U-2 high altitude photography. He continued working for the State as an independent contractor for several years following his retirement in 1988.

During his life and retirement, Ray kept busy with hobbies and family. Ray was well known and respected as a mineral collector, with a significant portion of his collection now on exhibit at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel, Maine. He also spent many happy hours on his collections of stamps, covers, coins and various ephemera.

He greatly enjoyed his three grandchildren, making frequent trips to visit, and for many years he never missed giving out candy during Halloween. An independent man, it was with reluctance that he sold his home in Auburn and moved to The McLellan in Brunswick shortly after his 90th birthday. He lived there until 2020, when an injury and declining health necessitated a move to Brentwood Center. We are grateful to the folks at The McLellan for allowing him to live as independently as he could for as long as possible, and for the care the staff at Brentwood provided during this difficult period of COVID restrictions.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his sibling, Geraldine (Woodman) Davis; as well as his wife Dorothy. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Woodman Lennon of Grafton, Mass., her husband Anthony, and grandchildren Sarah (Lennon) Wood and her husband Michael of Stratham, N.H., Rachel Lennon of South Boston, Mass., and Ethan Lennon of Grafton, Mass. He is also survived by his nephews, Peter Davis of Underhill, Vt. and J. Scott Davis of Buckfield, his niece Patricia Schroeder Hill of Cedar City, Utah; sister-in-law Norma Krackenberger, nephews and nieces Michael, Patrick and Marjorie Krackenberger of Texas, and their families.

A memorial collection of photographs will be displayed on The Fortin Group’s website at http://www.thefortingroupauburn.com .

A graveside service and interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Lewiston, at a later date. A celebration of his life will be planned for later this summer. Arrangements are under the care & direction of direction of The Fortin Group/Plummer & Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation & Monument Services 217 Turner St. Auburn 783-8545.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ray’s memory to the:

American Humane Society

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