RyeGPT People of Note: ABC News Reporter Bob Woodruff
RyeGPT People of Note is a series highlighting individuals who have a connection to the City of Rye. In the series we ask OpenAI’s ChatGPT to prepare a biography and explain the individual’s connection to Rye.
We welcome your feedback on this series – the use of artificial intelligence, the accuracy and usefulness of each article and your assistance in understanding other pertinent insights related to the person’s connection to Rye.
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Robert Warren “Bob” Woodruff, born on August 18, 1961, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is an American television journalist renowned for his extensive career with ABC News and his resilience following a life-threatening injury while reporting in Iraq.
Early Life and Education
Woodruff graduated from the private Cranbrook Kingswood School in 1979 and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University in 1983, where he was an active lacrosse player. He later obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1987. Initially pursuing a legal career, Woodruff worked as a bankruptcy associate at Shearman & Sterling in New York City. His trajectory shifted in 1989 when, while teaching law in Beijing, he was hired by CBS News as an on-screen interpreter during the Tiananmen Square protests, marking the beginning of his journalism career.
Career with ABC News
Joining ABC News in 1996, Woodruff covered significant national and international stories. In December 2005, he was named co-anchor of ABC World News Tonight alongside Elizabeth Vargas. However, on January 29, 2006, while reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces near Taji, Iraq, Woodruff sustained a severe traumatic brain injury from a roadside bomb explosion. His remarkable recovery led him to return to broadcasting, where he continued to report on global events and issues affecting veterans.
Connection to Rye, New York
Bob Woodruff and his wife, Lee McConaughy, whom he married in 1988, have been long-time residents of Rye, New York. The couple has four children: Macklin Robert (Mack), Cathryn, and twins Claire and Nora. Lee Woodruff is an accomplished author and freelance writer, actively involved in various philanthropic efforts within the Rye community. In December 2024, Bob and his son Mack collaborated on a documentary titled After the Blast, chronicling Bob’s return to Iraq to revisit the site of his injury.
Philanthropy
Following his injury, the Woodruff family founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting post-9/11 service members, veterans, and their families. The foundation focuses on providing resources and support to veterans reintegration into civilian life, reflecting the Woodruffs’ commitment to giving back to those who have served the nation.
