Dr. Robert M. Wood (89), Spearfish, SD

Dr. Robert (Bob) Moody Wood died peacefully at home on December 2, 2011, surrounded by his four children, following a brief illness.

Bob Wood, may his memory be a blessing, was born March 13, 1922 in Sturgis, SD to Robert I. and Charity M. Wood. He grew up in Sturgis, graduating Sturgis High School in 1940. Prior to WWII, he served as a bandsman in the South Dakota National Guard, and during the war, he proudly served on active duty as commander of the 626th Engineer Light Equipment Company. Following WWII, he married Edna Marie Grams of Sturgis and moved to Chicago, where he studied dentistry at Loyola University of Chicago. Upon completion of his studies, Bob and his small family returned to Sturgis, where he practiced dentistry with his father.

Bob eventually left private practice to join the Veterans Affairs (Veterans Administration) Hospital system, and served as staff dentist and chief of dentistry at VA hospitals in St. Cloud, MN and in Salem, VA. The last 15 years of his career he spent at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry in Lincoln, NE, where he was associate professor of community dentistry.

Upon retirement, Bob and his family returned to the Black Hills, settling in Spearfish, the town whose beauty and friendly people he cherished. In retirement, he served as a consultant for the Chicago Dental Society and Great Plains Television in their production of continuing education courses for dentists. In his free time, he enjoyed music, playing his clarinet and saxophone in the Northern Hills Band and other community bands. He was also active in All Angels Episcopal Church.

Bob will be loved and remembered for his kindness and generosity. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather and a kind and gentle healer. He treated people with kindness and dignity, and he instilled in his children reverence for all life, respect for all people, and compassion for all who struggle in life.

While practicing dentistry in Sturgis, Bob also served in the US Public Health Service, working part time at what was then known as the Sioux Sanitarium. His service at the Sioux San instilled in him a deep respect for the Lakota people and their strength and resilience. His service in the VA instilled in him a deep appreciation of the sacrifices of military veterans and compassion for those whose bodies and minds have been broken by war.

Profoundly grateful to have shared this life with him are his wife of 65 years, Edna Marie, of Spearfish, son Robert of Spearfish, daughter Claire of Seward, NE, twin daughters Nancy and Anne of Stavanger, Norway, grandchildren Hans and Elsa of Oslo, Norway, and cherished cats Cletus, Floyd, and Emmy. Other survivors include half-sisters Mary and Susan of Sturgis, and numerous nieces and nephews. His parents and his sister Harriet preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 8 at 11:00 at All Angels Episcopal Church in Spearfish. Donations in Bob's honor may be made to the Hospice of the Northern Hills or to Soaring Eagle, PO Box 879, Billings, MT 59103-0879.

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