Richard Joseph Wood

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Dick on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at the age of 86 years. He was predeceased by his first wife Muriel; parents Joseph and Mary; sisters Francis Zimmerman and Jean Shea; brother Stanley Wood; nephew Brent Wood; and nieces Laurie Wood and Cathy Mayoh.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Ann; children Ken Kidd, Gord Kidd (Heather Kolisnyk); Heather Davidson; Linda (Jerome) Tholl; grandchildren Katelyn Neufeld (Landon Sutherland), Michael (Nikki) Neufeld, Matthew Tholl, Cameron Tholl, Jacob Neufeld; brothers Ken (Silvana) Wood, Robert (Lynn) Wood, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

On April 6, 1932 Dick was born in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, where he lived on a farm with his parents and five siblings. He obtained his elementary and secondary education through home schooling and attending five different one-room schools. After completing high school in Oxbow, Dick moved to Edmonton where he worked in a warehouse while he obtained his journalism training via mail order.

Dick took up a career in journalism working in Nelson, B.C., Estevan, Williams Lake, Moose Jaw and Regina. In 1978 Dick’s freelance writing led him to employment as the administrative magazine editor with Saskatchewan History and Folklore, where he met his wife Ann who volunteered with the organization.

Following his retirement in 1992, Dick continued to work, and co-authored and edited a series of books relating to the history of Regina through Biographies Regina.

Dick was passionate about his work and everything he read. Whether for work or pleasure, he was always read from an editor’s perspective. He then enjoyed disseminating the information he learned by sharing it with a historian’s perspective with others. Dick was also passionate about the Saskatchewan Roughriders, whom he followed for decades and held season tickets for many years. While arguably his favourite passion could be his appreciation for ice cream and sweets, his true love went to his five grandchildren and family.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, 3337 15th Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan on Sunday, September 30, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. with a reception to follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sophia House, 306-565-2537, Box 37125 Regina, SK S4S 7K4. Sofia House is a transition house for women and children, where Papa’s favourite (and only) granddaughter works.