October 28, 2013
NBAA marks the passing of former Chairman David M. Woodrow, who served on the Board of Directors from 1976 to 1989 and as chairman from 1981 to 1983. Woodrow also served as the first chairman of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC). He died on Oct. 16 at age 88.
Born in Newton, IA, and educated at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, Woodrow got his start in aviation during World War II with the U.S. Navy. Following the war, he spent 43 years with 3M in St. Paul, MN, retiring in 1990 as director of aviation.
Woodrow’s involvement with NBAA spanned two decades. In 1971, he served as the local chairman of the Association’s Annual Meeting & Convention, which was held in Minneapolis that year. From the mid-1970s through the end of the 1980s, Woodrow not only served on NBAA’s Board, but also chaired numerous working groups and committees.
Woodrow was an important figure in the 1981 launch of IBAC, the association of national and regional groups dedicated to promoting and protecting the interests of business aviation worldwide. From 1981 to 1987, he was the first chairman of the organization, which works closely with the International Civil Aviation Organization, the body that sets global aviation standards.
In addition, Woodrow, a longtime resident of Edina, MN, was involved with Minneapolis Metropolitan Aircraft Sound Abatement Council and Downtown Airport Committee, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Commission and the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce.
Woodrow is survived by four children (David, Sally, Thomas and Nancy), seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.