These are some comments I captured about my buddy Jeff Wood, upon return from his funeral:
I attended Jeff's memorial service in Bettendorf Saturday. Apparently Jeff was on the elliptical while Chris was baby sitting a grandson. He was in the easy chair next to the elliptical when she got home. He had been dead for about four hours by that time. He was cremated by the time of the memorial service. So no word at that time but the assumption is heart attack or stroke. He had been fine physically up to that point. Jake (his son) did an incredible job on the eulogy, I would love to see him post it on Woody's Facebook page. Woody was a very compelling figure, I think Jake might have hit it on the nail when he quoted Woody as stating he would have "died in a gutter if he had't met Chris", but turned it around to forge a great family, outstanding career, and a very fulfilling life. They just moved into their new house a couple of years ago, great place, I am glad he got to enjoy it as much as he did. The place was packed with family and friends. Kevin was there and I had not seen him in many years (40?). I guess the idea that he had this great life, had just retired and now he is gone is what makes it hard to accept. I shared a few stories with Jake and I promised I would put pen to paper and share a few more. Quoting from the eulogy "when you're backed into a corner in a tough fight, every friend needs a Jeff Wood".
BETTENDORF, Iowa -- Jeffrey Alan Wood, 64, died at home Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015.
Born Sept. 3, 1950, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Robert and Dorothy Wood, he attended St. Catherine’s High School in Racine, Wisconsin, and graduated from Ashland High School in 1968. He attended The Ohio State University and Ashland University.
Jeff served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged.
On June 23, 1979, he married Christy Bauer in Seward, Nebraska.
Jeff worked at The Flxible Co. in Loudonville from 1972 to 1973. He worked for Valmont Industries of Valley, Nebraska, from 1978 to 1993. In 1994, he took a position at Parr Instrument Company in Moline, Illinois, where he was vice president of operations until retiring Jan. 1, 2015, and continued to serve on the Parr Instrument Co. board of directors.
Jeff was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Bettendorf, Iowa.
He was passionate about his family, politics, talk radio, his mini-goldendoodle named Doug, the Green Bay Packers, college football and having fun. Recently retired, he was looking forward to traveling with his wife, Christy; spending more time with their grandchildren; and volunteering his time at the animal shelter.
Survivors include his wife, Christy; daughters, Erin (Darrell) Kick of Loudonville, Sarah (Ryan) Lenger of Iowa City, Iowa, and Meghan (Jared) Rice of Dubuque, Iowa; son, Jacob (Indra) Wood of Los Angeles; grandchildren, Mariah, Jared, Emma, Clarice and Garrett Kick of Loudonville, Graham Lenger of Iowa City, Iowa, and Brody and Nolan Rice of Dubuque, Iowa; brothers, Kevin (Debbie) Wood of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, Seth Wood of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Paul (Joanna) Wood of Anderson, Indiana; sisters, Georgia (Dwayne) Chapline of Florence, Arizona, and Kathy (Todd) Barlett of Acworth, Georgia; his godmother, Sister Dorothy Wood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Dorothy Wood, and his in-laws, Don and Betty Bauer.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at Our Savior Lutheran Church of Bettendorf, Iowa.
Memorial contributions are welcome at the Humane Society of Scott County, 2802 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport, Iowa 52804; Team Rubicon, www.teamrubiconusa.org, 300 N. Continental Blvd., Suite 100, El Segundo, California 90245; or Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3775 Middle Road, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722.
Christy would like to thank their special friends the O’Haras, Rolands, Greenwoods and Pastor Keith Piotter for their love and support at this time.
Steve Beem
These are some comments I captured about my buddy Jeff Wood, upon return from his funeral:
I attended Jeff's memorial service in Bettendorf Saturday. Apparently Jeff was on the elliptical while Chris was baby sitting a grandson. He was in the easy chair next to the elliptical when she got home. He had been dead for about four hours by that time. He was cremated by the time of the memorial service. So no word at that time but the assumption is heart attack or stroke. He had been fine physically up to that point. Jake (his son) did an incredible job on the eulogy, I would love to see him post it on Woody's Facebook page. Woody was a very compelling figure, I think Jake might have hit it on the nail when he quoted Woody as stating he would have "died in a gutter if he had't met Chris", but turned it around to forge a great family, outstanding career, and a very fulfilling life. They just moved into their new house a couple of years ago, great place, I am glad he got to enjoy it as much as he did. The place was packed with family and friends. Kevin was there and I had not seen him in many years (40?). I guess the idea that he had this great life, had just retired and now he is gone is what makes it hard to accept. I shared a few stories with Jake and I promised I would put pen to paper and share a few more. Quoting from the eulogy "when you're backed into a corner in a tough fight, every friend needs a Jeff Wood".
Steve Beem
BETTENDORF, Iowa -- Jeffrey Alan Wood, 64, died at home Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015.
Born Sept. 3, 1950, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Robert and Dorothy Wood, he attended St. Catherine’s High School in Racine, Wisconsin, and graduated from Ashland High School in 1968. He attended The Ohio State University and Ashland University.
Jeff served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged.
On June 23, 1979, he married Christy Bauer in Seward, Nebraska.
Jeff worked at The Flxible Co. in Loudonville from 1972 to 1973. He worked for Valmont Industries of Valley, Nebraska, from 1978 to 1993. In 1994, he took a position at Parr Instrument Company in Moline, Illinois, where he was vice president of operations until retiring Jan. 1, 2015, and continued to serve on the Parr Instrument Co. board of directors.
Jeff was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Bettendorf, Iowa.
He was passionate about his family, politics, talk radio, his mini-goldendoodle named Doug, the Green Bay Packers, college football and having fun. Recently retired, he was looking forward to traveling with his wife, Christy; spending more time with their grandchildren; and volunteering his time at the animal shelter.
Survivors include his wife, Christy; daughters, Erin (Darrell) Kick of Loudonville, Sarah (Ryan) Lenger of Iowa City, Iowa, and Meghan (Jared) Rice of Dubuque, Iowa; son, Jacob (Indra) Wood of Los Angeles; grandchildren, Mariah, Jared, Emma, Clarice and Garrett Kick of Loudonville, Graham Lenger of Iowa City, Iowa, and Brody and Nolan Rice of Dubuque, Iowa; brothers, Kevin (Debbie) Wood of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, Seth Wood of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Paul (Joanna) Wood of Anderson, Indiana; sisters, Georgia (Dwayne) Chapline of Florence, Arizona, and Kathy (Todd) Barlett of Acworth, Georgia; his godmother, Sister Dorothy Wood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Dorothy Wood, and his in-laws, Don and Betty Bauer.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, at Our Savior Lutheran Church of Bettendorf, Iowa.
Memorial contributions are welcome at the Humane Society of Scott County, 2802 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport, Iowa 52804; Team Rubicon, www.teamrubiconusa.org, 300 N. Continental Blvd., Suite 100, El Segundo, California 90245; or Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3775 Middle Road, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722.
Christy would like to thank their special friends the O’Haras, Rolands, Greenwoods and Pastor Keith Piotter for their love and support at this time.
Steve Beem
At the 20th Reunion
Steve Beem
At the 35th reunion
Steve Beem
At the 45th reunion