Bob “Woody” Woodward (1939–2025) was an influential American outdoor writer, Nordic skiing coach, and mountain biking pioneer based in Bend, Oregon. Originally from Illinois, he moved to Bend in the late 1970s and became a leading figure in promoting outdoor recreation in the Pacific Northwest. A prolific journalist, Woodward wrote and photographed for major skiing and outdoor magazines—including Powder, SKI, Cross Country Skier, and Snow Country—and was known for his profiles of skiing and outdoor pioneers. He also coached cross-country skiing, organized Nordic training camps, and covered international ski racing.

In 1983, Bob Woodward and Ted Eugenis, both outdoor enthusiasts in Bend, Oregon, founded Specialty News (SNEWS) as an independent, ad-free newsletter offering “unvarnished” reporting for the outdoor retail industry. Their first issue, printed on orange paper in 1984, reached about 50 subscribers and quickly became known for its mix of insider news, candid commentary, and humor. Through the 1980s and 1990s, SNEWS gained a loyal following for breaking major industry stories—such as The North Face’s bankruptcy and the founding of Mountain Hardwear—and for creative features like the “Average Human Being” gear tests. The publication also became famous for its irreverent tone and social gatherings like the SNEWS Poly Party. By 2002, Woodward had transferred ownership to journalists Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian, who modernized the outlet by launching snewsnet.com and establishing more rigorous journalistic standards. In 2021, the publication was rebranded as Outsider Business Journal.

Beyond journalism, Woodward helped shape Central Oregon’s outdoor culture through hands-on involvement in trail building and advocacy. He co-founded the Central Oregon Trail Alliance, championed mountain biking in its early years, and served in local government, first on the City Council as part of the “Men without Ties,” then later as Bend’s mayor from 1997 to 1999. Honored with a Mt. Bachelor trail named “Woody’s Way” and inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, Woodward left a legacy as both a writer and community leader who helped make Bend a hub for outdoor sports and conservation.