On December 9, 2025, Woodrow Roeback, known fondly throughout Hempstead, New York, as “Mr. Woody,” died peacefully at the age of 84. His family was by his side. He was born July 15, 1941, in a rural area of South Carolina to sharecroppers Elias and Clara Roeback, he moved north during the 1960s, seeking new possibilities amidst the Civil Rights Movement.
Dr. Roeback completed his higher education with a doctorate in counseling psychology from Grand Canyon University, following earlier studies at South Carolina State University. He applied his learning to a varied career that included both public sector roles and private enterprise.
For close to twenty years, he owned and operated Woody’s Promotions at 80 Main Street, a shop specializing in customized apparel, buttons, and commemorative items for local events ranging from school graduations to memorials. The store became a neighborhood gathering place where people connected over coffee, strengthening ties within Hempstead’s vibrant community.
Before establishing his business, Roeback dedicated more than thirty years to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, eventually serving as a division chief in vocational rehabilitation and employment. In that capacity, he guided numerous veterans toward sustainable careers and independence. His professional path also included human resources management for The Home Depot, senior career counseling for the U.S. Army, and adjunct instruction in psychology at Thomas Nelson Community College.
Family was the foundation of Roeback’s life. He was a loving husband to Evelyn, whom he married in 1970, and a father to three children: his son Woodrow Anthony III, a counselor in California, and daughters Marlene and Keisha, both educators in Nassau County. His grandchildren frequently visited the family home on Front Street, where holiday gatherings often featured his renowned Lowcountry shrimp boils—a tradition that connected his Southern heritage with his Long Island life.
In his daily routine, Roeback favored understated and balanced pursuits, such as regular walks in Brier Park where he enjoyed his long-standing interest in birdwatching. He often wrote in his journal about figures from the Civil Rights Movement, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A baritone singer with the Hempstead Community Choir, he lent his voice to church services, performing gospel music that reflected his Baptist roots. His friendly, approachable nature made him a respected elder in the neighborhood, always willing to offer guidance or create a personalized keychain to celebrate a child’s accomplishment.
Services will reflect Roeback’s dedication to community. A visitation is scheduled for Friday, December 12, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Hempstead Funeral Home. A funeral will follow on Saturday, December 13, at 11:00 a.m. at Union Baptist Church on King Street. He will be laid to rest at Nassau Knolls Cemetery. In place of floral tributes, the family suggests contributions to the Hempstead Food Bank, continuing his legacy of generosity and care.
