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IN MEMORIAM
Marion Kenneth Woodward, Windfor Professor of Law Emeritus,
died February 20, 1995, in Austin, Texas.
Professor Woodward was born April 15, 1912 at Amarillo,
Texas. He obtained two degrees at the University of Texas: Bachelor of
Arts in 1933 and Bachelor of Laws (with honors) in 1943. During the years
between his graduation in 1933 and his becoming a student at the Law School,
he taught in public schools in Texline, Texas, and Amarillo, Texas, and
also obtained a Master of Arts degree at West Texas State University in
1940. It was while teaching in Amarillo that Kenneth met an art teacher,
Maurine Wallingford, whom he persuaded to become Maurine Woodward. Their
marriage continued until Kenneth's death. They had one son, M. Kenneth
Woodward, Jr., who practices law in Austin. Professor Woodward was also
survived by his daughter-in-law, Julie, and three grandchildren: Kenny,
Shane and Danielle Woodward.
As a student at the Law School, Woodward earned many
honors, including induction into Chancellors (the most prestigious student
honorary society at the Law School) and Order of the Coif (whose members
are the highest student academic achievers at each of the member law schools
in the nation). He also was Comment Editor of the Texas Law Review.
Following graduation from the University of Texas Law
School, he served as an officer in the SIC Division of the United States
Army. Following World War II, he became an attorney for the Phillips Petroleum
Company. In 1945, Kenneth returned to his alma mater as an Associate
Professor of Law. He remained on the faculty until his death. He was Assistant
Dean of the Law School from 1948 until 1951 and Associate Dean from 1951
until 1963. He also was Acting Dean for a time. He retired in 1982, but
continued teaching part time for several years. Early in his teaching
career, he was granted a leave of absence to spend an academic year at
the Yale Law School as a Sterling Fellow. He also was a visiting professor
from time to time at other prestigious law schools. Professor Woodward was a remarkably gifted teacher. His
courses were popular and his students formally expressed their appreciation
for his teaching excellence. Students often applauded his ability to clarify
difficult subjects, his patience with students, and his sense of humor.
Students were never hesitant to visit his office. He invariably received
them in a friendly manner and gave serious consideration to their statements.
The years when Kenneth Woodward was Assistant Dean, Acting
Dean and Associate Dean were a difficult time for the Law School. His
talents matched the needs of that era perfectly. Many characteristics
of the Law School during the post-World War II era could have caused students
to conclude that our school was a most inhospitable place. Overcrowding
was severe. The ratio of faculty to students was low. The Law School was
housed in an old building that was too small and inadequate in many respects.
The curriculum was severely limited. Admission requirements were low,
and the attrition rate was staggering. Many students were veterans of
the war, some with wives and children. They were eager to finish their
legal education as soon as possible and begin to earn a living. They were
inclined to be impatient with all aspects of the Law School that seemed
unrelated directly to that goal. They welcomed practical courses, but
eschewed public policy and jurisprudence. A sympathetic and wise counselor
was sorely needed. Kenneth met that goal admirably. He was a superb administrator,
but teaching, research and writing were his principal interests.
As an academician, Professor Woodward soon became recognized
as an expert on probate and land law, particularly oil and gas, wills
and estates, land titles, and real property finance. He authored valuable
works in all of these subjects, and was especially influential in the
areas of oil and gas and probate law. For decades Cases and Materials
on Oil and Gas was the standard teaching tool in oil and gas law classes;
"Ownership of Interests in Oil and Gas," 26 Ohio St. L. J.
353 (1965), helped establish the theoretical underpinnings of oil and
gas jurisprudence in a state with a developing petroleum industry, and
"Fair Share and the Small Tract in Texas," 41 Tex. L. Rev.
55 (1962), which he co-authored with Mr. R. E. Hardwicke, led to long-needed
reforms in Railroad Commission regulatory practices. Professor Woodward's
various articles on independent administration, including especially "Independent
Administrations Under the New Texas Probate Code," 34 Tex. L.
Rev. 687 (1956), are widely cited by courts and practitioners as the
most authoritative statement on this method of probate administration,
and his two volume treatise on probate and decedents' estates, although
published a quarter of a century ago, remains unchallenged as the standard
work on probate law and practice in Texas. Professor Woodward was -- and
still is -- the leading authority on this subject. Many lawyers frequently sought his counsel. Characteristically,
Kenneth usually did not submit a bill for his services. But the grateful
recipients of his wisdom, knowledge and analytical ability nearly always
rewarded him anyway. His services were also sought by, and gladly given
to, many others. The Governor of Texas appointed him to the Commission
on Uniform State Laws. He also became a member of the Legal Committee
of the Interstate Oil Compact Commission. When his church and the University
Co-op needed legal assistance in land acquisition, they turned to Kenneth
Woodward. There were many other instances of his generous contributions
of time, energy and skill to various communities of which he was a part.
As a faculty colleague, Kenneth Woodward was superb.
He placed the welfare of the institution above his own welfare. He was
never reluctant to assume tasks that were dull, difficult or time-consuming,
but essential to the welfare of the Law School. He was focused on what
was important, rather than upon activities that might attract favorable
attention to himself. He was unusually considerate of others and inclined
to overlook their faults. His faculty colleagues were never reluctant
to engage him in conversation. He would never say anything that would
make his listener uncomfortable. Faculty who had a problem could go to
Kenneth with assurance that Kenneth would sincerely and carefully consider
it, make helpful suggestions, and not violate requested confidentiality.
Many of his colleagues were beneficiaries of his considerate and wise
counsel. Despite his customary friendly manner, Professor Woodward
would not tolerate injustice to others. He did not hesitate to speak out
and to act in support of just causes. In writing "Fair Share and
the Small Tract in Texas," 41 Tex. L. Rev. 75 (1962), he knowingly
incurred the wrath of a powerful segment of the oil industry by critiquing
regulatory practices that grossly favored one set of companies and landowners
at the expense of other companies and landowners. In February of 1968,
he and other members of the law faculty and students issued a strong statement
in opposition to the continued participation of the United States in the
Vietnam War. In 1982, Professor Woodward received the Outstanding
Alumnus Award from the University of Texas Law School. In 1993, the M.
Kenneth Woodward Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Law was established
in his honor by former students of the Law School. A major goal of the Law School is development of a high
standard of professional integrity in future members of the legal profession.
We seek to accomplish this through courses in Professional Responsibility
and by highlighting ethical aspects of all courses. Faculty are also aware
that their conduct, outside as well as inside the classroom, reveals their
own ethical standards. It is unlikely that any person was more aware of
this, and determined to act accordingly than Professor Woodward. By merely
knowing him, his students surely were influenced to become better persons
and more responsible members of the legal profession. Peter T. Flawn, President ad interim H. Paul Kelley, Secretary This Memorial Resolution was prepared by a special committee
composed of Professors Corwin W. Johnson (Chair), William O. Huie, and
Ernest E. Smith. BIBLIOGRAPHY Authored works Probate and Administration of Estates. St. Paul,
Minn.: West Pub., 1980; Supplements: 1984, 1982 (West's Texas Forms,
v. 12). Cases and Materials on Texas Land Titles, 1st
ed. Austin: Sterling Swift, 1975 (with Robert Hobbs). Probate and Decedents' Estates. St. Paul, Minn.:
West Pub., 1971; Supplements: 1985; 1982; 1978; 1975 (Texas Practice,
v. 17-18) (with Ernest E. Smith). Texas Cases and Materials on Fiduciary Administration.
Austin: University of Texas Law School Foundation, 1967; Supplement 1970. Mechanics' Liens-Priority Problems. Austin: University
of Texas School of Law, 1967. Texas Land Titles, Supplemental Readings. Austin:
University of Texas Law School Foundation, 1965. Cases and Materials on Oil and Gas. St. Paul,
Minn.: West Pub., 2nd ed. 1972; 1st ed. 1960 (with William O. Huie and
Ernest E. Smith, III). Texas Cases and Materials on Real Property Security,
temp. ed. Austin: Hemphill's, 4th ed., 1976; 3rd ed., 1964; 2nd ed., 1954;
1st ed., 1950. Articles "In Memory of Professor Edward Weldon Bailey."
59 Tex. L. Rev. 7 (1981) "Granting, Saving and Shut-in Clauses." 25
Oil & Gas Tax Q. 289 (1977). "F.P.C. Developments Affecting Basic Provisions
of Oil and Gas Leases." 25 Oil & Gas Tax Q. 65 (1976). "Hardeman Act--Some Unanswered Questions."
6 St. Mary's L.J. 1 (1974). "Proposed Amendments to the Probate Code."
31 Tex. B.J. 103 (1968). "Ownership of Interests in Oil and Gas." 26
Ohio St. L.J. 353 (1965). "Fair Share and the Small Tract in Texas."
41 Tex. L. Rev. 75 (1962) (with R.E. Hardwicke). Also as a monograph:
1962. "Recent Developments in the Law of Oil and Gas."
Proceedings of the Section of Mineral and Natural Resources Law, American
Bar Association. 1961. "Acquisition of Mechanics' and Materialmen's Liens
on Non-Homestead Property." 14 Sw. L.J. 469 (1960). "Some Developments in the Law of Independent Administrations."
37 Tex. L. Rev. 828 (1959). "Homestead Exemption: a Continuing Need for Constitutional
Revision." 35 Tex. L. Rev. 47 (1957). "Open Mine Doctrine in Oil and Gas Cases."
35 Tex. L. Rev. 538 (1957). "Independent Administrations Under the New Texas
Probate Code." 34 Tex. L. Rev. 687 (1956). "Title Examination Problems." 17 Tex. B.J.
533 (1954). "Constitutional Liens on Chattels in Texas."
28 Tex. L. Rev. 305 (1950). Contributions "Recent Developments in Oil and Gas Law" Paper
presented to the Mineral Law Section, State Bar of Texas at Fort Worth,
July 4, 1969. "Addition and Changes for 1956 Printing." Texas
Supplement on Administration of Estates, compiled 1951 (with William
O. Huie). Austin: Hemphill's, 1956. Audiovisual materials Wills and Estates. Austin: University of Texas
Communications Center, 1968 (with W.W. Gibson). [phonotape 47] |