GREENVILLE, S.C. (November 19, 2017) — Dr. Bob Wood, who served as Executive Vice President of Bob Jones University from 1977 until 2005 and as Executive Vice President Emeritus until 2014,went home to be with the Lord Friday, Nov. 17.
In honor of his service to the Lord and to BJU, flags at BJU will fly at half-staff today through sunset Monday, Nov. 20.
Dr. Wood’s obituary, as it appeared in the Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, edition of The Greenville News is reproduced below:
Robert (Bob) Morris Wood, Sr.
Greenville – Bob M. Wood, Sr. of Greenville passed away Nov. 17, 2017, at the McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville, S.C. Born March 29, 1938, in Lawrenceville, Ga., Bob grew up in Tucker, Ga. The son of Robert Oren Wood and Evelyn Townsend Wood, Bob graduated from Tucker High School and attended Washington University in St. Louis. Although he grew up in a Christian home, he was in his early twenties when God became very real to him and he trusted Jesus to save him.
After starting his business career in medical sales in the 1960s, Bob joined the family transportation business, working with Brown Transport and Harper Motor Lines during the 1960s and 1970s. During this time, he was active in his church where he met his wife, Mary Cotter, and the Lord began drawing him into Christian work. Bob and Mary’s home was a haven to many. They held Bible studies and provided a biblical example to young people of how to love each other and serve the Lord together. These Bible studies grew to about 90 people and became the nucleus for the Killian Hill Baptist Church, which Bob began pastoring in 1972.
In 1977, Dr. Wood answered the call to become executive vice president of Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., a position he held for nearly 29 years. In addition to managing the operation of the University, he personally helped thousands of students, faculty and staff who sat under his chapel ministry and experienced his friendship and mentoring. After his retirement in 2005, he served as executive vice president emeritus until 2014. He also served as a member of the BJU Board of Trustees from 1974 until his death.
Bob had a long, meaningful life with many interests. He loved hunting, fishing, golfing, and flying. He held private, instrument and multi-engine pilot ratings. He was a people-person who never met a stranger. In addition to BJU, he served on numerous boards over the years, including the Wilds Christian Camp, Woodlands Camp, Gospel Fellowship Association, Pinnacle Bank (now Carolina Alliance Bank) and US AeroTech. Bob attended Morningside Baptist Church where he enjoyed the practical preaching and edifying fellowship. Above all, he enjoyed studying the Scripture and preaching what God taught him. He tried to instill in others the desire to “think Bible” and apply Biblical principles in every situation of life.
Bob is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Cotter Wood; his sons Robert (Bobby) M. Wood, Jr (Robin) and Stephen C. Wood (Tamara); five grandchildren, Cotter, Caeden, Caeleigh Joy, Ella Grace and Stephen (Finn); one sister, Beverly Wood Manus (Larry) of Dacula, Ga; two sisters-in-law, Doris C. Sprout (Jerry) of Greer, S.C., and Jenell C. Shafer (Thomas) of Lilburn, Ga; five nieces, Candie Morgan (Jerry), Luellen Pavluk (Jim), Sherri S. Stanley (Jon), Sandy Waterworth (Rich), Kristi Palmer (Daniel); and three nephews, Tom Shafer (Dianne), Stacy Manus (LeAnne), and Jerry Sprout.
Dr. Wood’s love for his family and friends was surpassed only by his love for his Lord. He always encouraged people to turn their eyes upon Jesus and “keep on keeping on.” He was ready to meet his God whom he had faithfully served for nearly sixty years. His desire was to finish strong and to hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” Matt. 25:21.
Friends may call at the Mackey Mortuary, Sunday, Nov. 19, 4 – 6 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Morningside Baptist Church, Greenville, Monday, Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. Interment will be at the Pleasant Hill Community Cemetery in Dacula, Ga.
Condolences may be made at www.mackeymortuary.com
