Samuel George Woodings, 90, died on Monday, August 26th, 2024. His health declined following the death in April of Patricia Woodings, his wife of almost 67 years.

Born March 11, 1934, in Pittsburgh, PA, Sam grew up in Verona and Oakmont, PA. He attended Penn Hills High School where he met his future wife, Patricia.

Sam attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he majored in chemistry, and continued on to Pitt's School of Medicine.  While at Pitt he participated in ROTC and the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Sam and Pat married in 1957.  He served as a Doctor in the US Army, retiring as a Captain. His military service included time at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., and in Baumholder, Germany.

While in Germany, Sam and Pat built the basis for their love of travel and cars.  Sam and Pat bought their first new car, a 1963 Austin Healey while stationed in Germany.  He only recently allowed one of the daughters to take over the car since he joked "I might be able to get in, but I will never be able to get back out."

Following his military service, the family moved to the Shenango Valley in 1963.  Sam joined with Dr. Donald Stoudt to offer their family practice on Elm Street in Sharon.  During his career, he provided medical services to employees at both Sharon Steel and the Sharon Police Department.  He also served as a Doctor at the Hubbard Medical Clinic, as Assistant Coroner for Mercer County, and as an assistant to many surgeries at Sharon Regional Hospital.  While he lamented the middle of the night phone calls, Sam was proud to have delivered over 400 babies. He was very proud that he delivered a baby from a mom whom he previously delivered.

Sam was never satisfied with just offering his medical services to the community.  He was an active member and often held officer roles in a variety of local groups: Rotary International, through which the family hosted many Rotary exchange students; Shenango River Watchers; Mercer County Medical Society; Mercer County League of Women Voters; and First Presbyterian Church of Sharon.  He was also an active participant in a bridge club, a Transfer, PA farm group, and an investment club.

He did all this while doing the vast majority of the home improvements, car maintenance, and work on the house on Highland Rd. and a small farm in Transfer, PA.

Amongst all this activity, he and Pat raised four daughters, who participated -- with varying degrees of enthusiasm -- in his many interests and projects. As a result, all his daughters can do basic household repairs, know how to use a wide variety of tools, and how to hang and remove wallpaper.  None of his daughters have ever since wanted wallpaper in their homes.

While you might wonder how, Sam still made time to embrace the love of travel he and Pat began while stationed abroad.  While in Germany they traveled all over Europe using a VW bus.  After moving to the Shenango Valley, he and Pat traveled by car, RV, train, plane, and boat.  While their travels across the US were extensive, he and Pat also traveled internationally, including 6 of the 7 continents.
Sam is survived by his four daughters, Rebecca, Lisa, Catherine and Elizabeth; his son in law, Bruce Goodman; and his grandson Phillip.  And let us not forget the three grand dogs: Reilly, Brooklyn, and Winifred.

A memorial service will be held at noon on November 16th at First Presbyterian Church of Sharon. The family will receive visitors starting at 11 am, and a reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the United Way of Mercer County, Buhl Park, or a charity of your choosing.