Jonathan Woodner

Jonathan Woodner (April 8, 1944 - April 24, 1988) was an American Real Estate Developer and road racing driver. He was the son of Ian Woodner (1903-1990) and Ruth Lyon Woodner of Westport, Connecticut. Jonathan Woodner, who was born in Manhattan, ran the company's Washington interests and was president of the Ian Woodner Family Art Collection Foundation.
On Sunday, April 24, 1988, Jon Woodner took his little "toy plane", a Formula One Shoestring, out for a flight. He had been a licensed pilot for 20 years, but had only flown that racing plane a few times. An aerial search located the wreckage two miles from the Montgomery County (Maryland) Airpark on Monday. Cause of the accident was not determined, but the police said the tiny plane went straight down with heavy impact.

Mr. Woodner competed in 12 to 15 rally road races annually in Europe. He won the 1972 SCCA National Championship in an MG Midget. He was involved in car racing before joining his father's real estate company, the Jonathan Woodner Company, in 1974. His father, Ian, had named the Manhattan-based company after his son. The Jonathan Woodner Company is still operating today and is held by Jonathan's sisters, Diane and Andrea.

The Woodner Apartments, completed in 1951 in Washington, DC with over 1,000 units, is named after Mr. Woodner. The Woodner Apartments is DC's largest single-structure apartment building, and was the largest air-conditioned building in the world when it debuted in 1952.

The Woodner Cup, awarded annually since 1989, is named in honor of former rallyist Jon Woodner who was killed in an experimental aircraft accident. After rallying became dominated by 4WD cars in the '80s, Woodner's skillful driving and capable rally car proved tnat 2WD could still pose a serious competitive threat. Bryan continues to prove that it takes more than 4WD for a strong finish in a rally.