Charles Daniel Woodfin, 80, a resident of Mobile, Alabama passed away on Thursday,
September 30th, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Jane O'Barr Woodfin; children Daphne Lynne Michelini and Christopher Daniel Woodfin; stepchildren Carl Byers and Abby Diaz;
grandchildren Kevin Woodfin, Parker Fisher, Artemis Woodfin, Colton Michelini, Trey Michelini and Samantha Michelini. Although not biological family, to not mention the generations of students he taught who loved and respected him would be a disservice to a part of his life that was central to who he was.
Born in Okolona, Mississippi, Dan moved at at early age to Mobile where he attended Murphy High school, graduating in 1959. He studied architecture at Auburn in what was to become a lifelong passion. He practiced and taught architecture for well over 50 years at the University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee and the ETH (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) before heading to Ball State University in 1971 where he taught until his retirement three years ago. He additionally practiced architecture early in his career in New Orleans as well as in Knoxville. During his tenure at Ball State he maintained an office with Uwe Koehler and later as a sole practitioner.
His many achievements could fill a book. He adopted philosophies central to sustainable
design decades before recent trends have finally recognized their importance. He would often argue that these ideas are not new, we have simply forgotten lessons that were learned a thousand years ago. As our father, vacations always included an architectural component. Stopping to see an important building or a significant town. To go on a walk with my father would be slow, as any who have done so will know. An observer, with open eyes, he will always stop, numerous times, to point out a detail on a house, a yard or even a flower. A common question on a family outing or a field trip with students: Where is Dad/ Dan? This would be followed by a point back in the direction of the man a half block back with camera in hand. He lived a full life.
While his passion for architecture played a central role in life, also was his interest in genealogy and the quest to understand who we are by knowing where we came from. An avid postcard collector for decades, he curated a collection that was often architectural in subject with a particular focus on early twentieth century skyscrapers. To receive a postcard in the mail from him, sometimes a hundred years old, was always a gift. His children grew up often spending warm summer weekend days on family sailing outings to a local lake. The origins of this can be traced back to Mobile where as a child he worked with his brother and father to build a small sailing boat, a story he recently spoke of. He made sure that it was understood that this was not a normal boat and that it may not have looked like a sailboat to most, but it did float, for a time, and did have a mast made of a broomstick and was launched into Mobile Bay.
Though many adventures were still planned, he was at peace knowing how fortunate he was in living the life he lived.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, yet the love for life he held and the passion he shared will continue to be felt for a long time to come.
March 18, 1941 ~ September 30, 2021 (age 80)
Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 12:00 PM. Visitation will be 10:00 AM until service time on Wednesday the the funeral home. Interment will be at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Dan was such a great mentor and friend to me. I first met Dan in 2002 as a freshman at Ball State, only later to find out he was old friends with my fathers former employer - Bob Bailey. Learning this was one of the first times I realized the world really is a small place. If I can have a tenth of the positive impact on someone that Dan had to me, I will consider my myself wildly successful. Rest In Peace Dan
Dan Woodfin
I first met Dan in 1979 or 1980 and I like to believe we became friends soon thereafter but perhaps that is presumption on my part because I was a young 18 year old first year student and he was my History professor. Within a few years however I came to know Dan as a fellow professional.
Starting around 2000, He started inviting me to jury studio work in his Architecture Studio Classes at CAP. That started an practice of traveling to Muncie for Fall and Spring Juries which culminated in Dan’s final Jury of 2018 which ended 50 years of teaching on his part.
Ive often said, I am the Man I am because of my father. I am the ARCHITECT I am because of Dan Woodfin.
I will truly miss my friend.
Dan was a great professor, friend and advocate. I learned so much in his studios. The trips I got to take with him will always live on in my memory. He had a calm demeanor, an insatiable curiosity, infectious passion for architecture and especially sustainability, a warm heart, welcoming hand shake and smile, and a fierce loyalty. He lives on in the many that he touched including me, I am forever indebted and grateful. BSU CAP class of 1997.
My deepest sympathies for the whole family and gratitude for his collegiality and mentorship. Dan taught me that it was ok to give much of yourself into one’s teaching, and to have genuine care for the steps of a design process — and show interest into the student’s health as well. Dan didn’t mind taking the time to show a student something over and over, if necessary. Dan put this care and professionalism into preparing his sample drawings, managing his schedule, keeping his studio clean and stocked with coffee, and of course — how he dressed — with perfectly pressed creases and a bow tie. Professor Woodfin, a true gentleman, will be missed.
I first met Dan at the Ball State Career Day. We hit it off right away and he asked me if I was interested in doing crits for 1st year students. That started a 20-year friendship that I have cherished. I have fond memories of the crits and the dinners afterward. He was truly a great instructor for young aspiring architects. I will miss Dan, his charm and graciousness.