Robert Wood

YOUNTVILLE - Robert William Wood passed away suddenly on June 14, 2009, at the Veterans Home of California, in Yountville.

Born July 3, 1922 in St. Helena, Bob graduated from St. Helena High School in 1940 and attended UC Davis where he earned an associate degree in horticulture/viticulture. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942, earning his wings as a naval aviator in 1944. He served as a naval carrier pilot in the Atlantic and Pacific until November 1946.

Bob returned to St. Helena after World War II to join his father, Frank Wood, and brother, Laurie Wood, in farming at Frank Wood & Sons. Simultaneously, he was active in the Naval Reserve at N.A.S., Livermore, from 1948 until 1955. Having purchased a war surplus plane after the war, he was able to combine his farming responsibilities with his Naval Reserve service. He also taught agriculture to veterans of World War II under the GI Bill at St. Helena High School.

In 1948 Bob married Patsy Gilman Jensvold in St. Helena. Together Bob and Patsy were active in Grace Episcopal Church, square dance and a number of other community activities. In 1960 the family made what was to be a temporary move to Marla Bay, Lake Tahoe, to attend the VIII Winter Olympic Games at Squaw Valley. The move changed the course of the family’s life.

After the Olympics, Bob went on to become a partner in Heavenly Valley Ski Area, where his investment facilitated the construction of Chair #2, which began the resort’s reputation as a world-class skiing facility. In 1962 Bob and his co-partner, David Gay, built the Heavenly Tramway to quickly ferry skiers and sightseers up the “face” of the mountain, protected from inclement weather. Being a pilot and owning an airplane, he was able to fly to the Napa Valley to oversee the family’s farming interests.

While living at Tahoe he and Patsy joined the pioneering efforts of the community that planned and built Barton Memorial Hospital, where Bob served on the board of directors for several years. Additionally, they were quite active in perpetuating the Heavenly Valley Blue Angel racing team, providing opportunities for young skiers to advance their ski-racing dreams.

Bob and Patsy expanded their involvement in the ski industry, co-founding Park City West in Utah. Bob also consulted on the development of Angel Fire New Mexico Resort and Deer Valley Resort in Utah.

In 1992 Bob returned with Patsy to their roots in St. Helena where they settled at Patsy’s property on Zinfandel Lane to spend their remaining years tending a small vineyard and engaging in an active travel and social life until Patsy’s death in 2002.

One of Bob’s greatest passions was flying. While spending winters in Fountain Hills, Ariz., he became an active member of the Confederate Air Force in Mesa, where he was known as Colonel Bob. From 2000 to 2005, he traveled the western U.S. to various aviation exhibitions, being proudest while demonstrating flight protocol and providing a history about the B-17, the type of aircraft he flew in the Navy.

Bob joined the community of the Veterans Home of California in 2005, where he resided until his final flight carried him home.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy; son George A. Wood; parents Elizabeth and Frank Wood; brother Albert Wood; and uncle Dr. George J. Wood. He is survived by his brother, Laurie Wood; children Carole Wood Morgan and Sherry Wood Owczarzak; step-children Hildi J. Vieira and Pete Jensvold; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held July 1, at 11 a.m., at the St. Helena Public Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Friends of the George and Elsie Wood Public Library, P.O. Box 171, St. Helena, CA 94574, in Bob’s memory. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.treadwayandwiggerfuneralchapel.com.

Dad, Bobba, Bob — have a beautiful final flight!

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