Charles Robert “Bob” Wood

April 3, 1937­­  –  January 15, 2023

Bob Wood

Our cherished and beloved Husband, Father, Paps, Papa, Dadoo, Dad, Daddy, Bobby, Bob Wood, went to be with Jesus in his eternal home on January 15, 2023, from his earthly home in Maple Valley, Washington, surrounded by his wife and family.

Bob was born on April 3, 1937, in Solvang, California, to Charles Levi and Sonie Wood. He grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley, graduating from Santa Ynez Valley High School in 1955. Bob served his country in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1959.

In the fall of 1960, while Bob was working at the Texaco Station in Buellton, California, a beautiful young girl named Sharon Randle came to have her ‘new-to-her’ light blue Audi worked on. The story goes that Bob told her to return that piece of junk, but he got to keep the girl. (Sharon insists she came out on top: winning the handsome young man with sky-blue eyes that never lost their sparkle.) Bob and Sharon were married on February 4, 1961, in Ballard, California, and were about to celebrate 62 years together. They had four children whom they raised in Santa Ynez, CA, Elk Creek, CA, Walla Walla, WA, and Kennewick, WA. Their lives were full of adventure with their kids, and they later traveled internationally as well as all over the United States while Bob worked nuclear outages. His construction and commercial electrical career started in the IBEW in which he was a long-time member.  He worked for the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) and Energy Northwest as an electrician and later an electrical technician. He became an expert in motor operated valves during his career and was sought out by nuclear plants for his knowledge retiring at the age of 78. Bob and Sharon enjoyed remodeling homes, woodworking and have made beautiful folk-art furniture for family and friends over the years.  Their love of making furniture led them to open Folklore Furnishings in Kennewick and they also spent some fun years going on furniture-buying trips to New Mexico and Texas. They raised beautiful champion Newfoundland dogs (Argos, Chai, Sedro and Roxie) and enjoyed the dog show world for several years, eventually downsizing from Newfoundland’s to their Labradoodles, Harper and Jaylee.  Papa/Paps always enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events, theater productions, dance recitals, and any other activities they were passionate about. You could regularly find him cheering them on from the sidelines.

Since his diagnosis in July, Bob bravely fought his battle with MDS. He was able to spend Christmas with his family, who shared memories and stories of a life well lived. Now he is free of the pain and the limitations of his earthly body. We rejoice that Bob is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but miss him more than words can say. Bob loved and cherished his family and embodied kindness, compassion, humor, and unconditional love. Above all else, he lived his life as an example of Christ to his family and everyone he met. We loved hearing his stories of his growing up years and his hilarious work stories. We are so proud to be his family and will carry on his legacy with honor. We will miss Bob on this earth, but we mourn with the hope and promise of an eternal life together with Jesus Christ. Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the presence of the Lord.

Bob is survived by his treasured and loving wife, Sharon; along with Sharon, he is survived by his children, Tod (Kathy) Wood, Brandis Wood, Jade (Debbie) Wood and Amberley Jones, his grandchildren, Crystal (Rob), Dustin (Holly), Chelsey (Brianna), Kolby, Skylar, Nicholas (Jessica), Ashley (Matt), Jayson, Zoë (Alex) and Elijah, his great-grandchildren, Ruby, Grey, Penelope, Duncan, Charles Samuel, Lucy, Emma, Lincoln, Sullivan, Archer, Theodore, Sophie, Eliana, Lilia, Ezra and Theodore, sister, Judy Pedersen, cousin, Janice Collier, numerous nieces and nephews, lifelong friends Sandy and Mel Hester, dear friend Lisa Harstad, as well as many friends and fellow electrical brothers who were like family to him.

There will be a private family service. An open house for all family and friends will be held on February 4, 2023, from 1:00­­–4:00, at the home of Brandis Wood, 5918 Rio Grande Lane in Pasco, WA.

In lieu of flowers, any donations to offset final expenses may be made through the family’s GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/f5d0e776), or contributions may be given to the charity of your choice.