Obituary

Richard A. Wood

Mon, 08/13/2018 - 11:00am

Richard Alfred “Rick” Wood died at home under hospice care April 22, 2018 after a brief period of declining health.

Rick was born Oct. 28, 1930 in Ridgewood, New Jersey to the late Flora (Schoeder) and Alfred Wood. He lived his early years in Ramsey, New Jersey.

Rick was a 1948 graduate of Blair Academy and a 1952 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College. After graduating from college, Rick served three years in the U.S. Army. He retired after a long career with the United States Post Office and moved to Oberlin, Ohio in 1998. He was an advocate of music, movies, theater, dance and classic cars.

During the summer of 1952, Rick accompanied his family to a sight-unseen cottage in Bayville, Maine. Although he left to serve in the military during that summer, he returned annually to the cottage which the family purchased.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Rick was an active member of the Christ Church (Episcopal) in Oberlin where he served as an usher/greeter, was a member of the pastoral care team, Sunday Adult Formation class and Outreach Committee for ministry to and with Oberlin College students. He was “Uncle Rick” to generations of Oberlin College international students, many of whom he taught to drive. Rick also volunteered with Meals on Wheels for many years.

He is survived by his sons, Michael (Carroll) of Ramsey, New Jersey and Jeremy (Helen) of West Roxbury, Massachusetts; two granddaughters; a grandson; his friend and former wife, Felicia (Polcari) Wood of Ramsey, New Jersey; a sister, Marjorie “Midge” (Smith) Brittingham; a brother, The Reverend William (Susan) Wood of Trevett, Maine; and numerous nephews, cousins and friends.

Cremation has taken place under the care of Dicken Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Elyria. A memorial service and interment service will take place at Christ Church in Oberlin on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 2 p.m. The family suggests that memorial contributions by given to Christ Church, 162 S. Main St., Oberlin, OH 44074