G. Robert Wood passed away surrounded by his loving family on August 12, 2023. He had metastatic lung cancer that had gone undiagnosed. The advanced cancer took him quickly and the loss has left us all stunned and with great sadness.
Born on January 23, 1942, to George Thompson Wood and Betty Smith Wood, he was raised in the Salt Lake Valley along with his younger brother Lane. He graduated from Olympus High School in 1960, where he excelled in music and government studies. He attended the University of Utah studying political science while juggling music classes and participating in the marching band, wind ensemble, and orchestra, graduating in 1965. Eventually, his career would focus on music, but he always maintained a strong interest in public affairs and was actively engaged in national and local politics.
Robert spent 30 years with the Granite School District as a music teacher mentoring countless students and associates. It was in this profession that he made lifelong friends and influenced so many young people. Schools where he taught include West Lake Junior, Bennion Junior, and Olympus Junior High Schools. Whether it was stage band, orchestra, concert band, wind ensemble, summer marching bands, private lessons, or the Granite Junior Youth Symphony Orchestra, Robert worked tirelessly teaching the art and science of music to the students in his classes. He took great pride in his work and his legacy and influence will resonate long beyond his lifetime.
A military man, Robert joined the National Guard when he was 18 and he proudly served for 42 years, representing his country in performances across the United States and overseas. After retiring as the band’s First Sergeant, he spent the next 20 years voluntarily performing whenever the band’s woodwind section was short a player. Over his 60 years associated with the band, he made many lifelong friends and garnered deep respect for his musicianship, discipline, and dedication to this organization.
He met Anna Rose Laveder, a fellow clarinetist, in his youth, they fell in love and married in 1966. They were a delightful couple who shared their lives with so many friends from the University of Utah, Granite District, and the Army band. Together they raised seven children in a sometimes crazy but loving home in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Sadly, Anna Rose passed away in 2008, just as they were starting their well-earned retirement. He later married his sweetheart EJ, who has been his companion and loving partner for the last 12 years. Together they enjoyed Ute Football games, traveling, and spending time together.
He is proceeded in death by his parents George and Betty and his first wife, Anna Rose. He is survived by his wife EJ, his brother Lane (Charlotte) Wood, his seven children: Elizabeth (Jim) Finnegan, G. Robert Wood II, Christopher (Christine) Wood, Anne Elise (Keith) Smedberg, Paul (Kelle) Wood, David (Laura) Wood, James (Kelly) Wood, a niece, and eight grandchildren.
Viewing, funeral, and internment services will be held at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road, Sandy. Viewing: Friday, August 18, 2023, from 6-8 pm. Pre-funeral Viewing: August 19, 2023, 10-10:45 am. Funeral: August 19, 2023, at 11 am. Interment to immediately follow.
Sorry family I am out of town, will miss funeral. Bob was the best first sgt., musician, person etc..I was a flute player in the 23d army band for years.. He will be missed. Sorry family for your loss. Sincerely. Art
Anna, my heart ached to hear of Bob's passing. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that I loved and respected Bob and held him in high regards. I loved seeing you and him at as many rehearsals and performances as you both were at. Thank you for your friendship and kindness to me.
Love,
Ben Jacobson
Anna, my heart ached to hear of Bob's passing. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that I loved and respected Bob and held him in high regards. I loved seeing you and him at as many rehearsals and performances as you both were at. Thank you for your friendship and kindness to me.
Love,
Ben Jacobson
Bob will be remembered for a long time. He was a very talented and kind man. He continued to share his talents with the 23rd Army Band long after he had retired and did so with zero compensation; even buying his own uniforms and paying his own way to travel and perform with the group.
I had the privilege of considering him a friend. He and EJ attended my wedding 5 years ago. I’ll miss going to lunch with him and hearing his stories about Band operations and events from years ago.
To all the family, you have my deepest sympathies and most sincere condolences. May he live on in your thoughts and hearts through memory of the great life he lived.
We so much treasure the memories we built together. Condolences to his children and wife. Bob was the best 1st Sargent ever. He will be missed.
My 1st memory of Bob was in the Summer of 1968. He, Anna Rose, and Norm Wendal were playing clarinet in the Salt Lake Municipal Band in Liberty Park. Our Friendship continued as fellow Band Teachers in Granite School District. Later on Bob and I enjoyed many fun filled years in the 23rd Army National Guard Band. He was a good person with great character; an outstanding Family Man. He was loved by and will be missed by his many Friends. My Love and condolences to his wonderful Family. Walt BATEMAN
Sorry family I am out of town, will miss funeral. Bob was the best first sgt., musician, person etc..I was a flute player in the 23d army band for years.. He will be missed. Sorry family for your loss. Sincerely. Art
Dear Family members: It is with deep sadness that I heard of Roberts death today. I was proud to be an associate with Bob. We both were with the National Guard and the Granite School District together. What a great man and teacher he was. I will never forget the great times we had together, both with Anna Rose and my wife Nola. We were vast friends and our friendship continued thru our retirement. I will miss his friendship as well as his stories. He was a consummate musician and teacher I could not have wanted a better friend and associate. Mr & Mrs Nick Falcone.