Robert Bruce Hood

It is with great honor that we share our father, Robert Bruce Hood’s legacy with you. Dad departed this life on August, 23, 2025. He spent his final weeks surrounded by his family before peacefully passing in the Butterfly Wing of the Baton Rouge General in Baton Rouge, LA.

Robert was one of six children born to Mr. Clair B. Hood Sr. and Mrs. Helen (Roberts) Hood. He made his appearance in this world on July 14th, 1951, in Portsmouth, Virginia and was raised in Chesapeake, where he attended school and discovered his passion as an avid auto enthusiast.

He began to build his wealth of knowledge at his first job at Leo’s Auto Body, and later represented J&R Auto Body on the Langley Speedway, where he would “light ‘em up” on the track.

While residing in Virginia, he met Denise Dixon-Gillis and had two daughters. Robert later relocated to Louisiana where he met Lynn Kenyon Hood. Together, they had three daughters. Robert then met Mrs. Linda Knighten, with whom he shared numerous memorable years until his final days.

Robert was a hard worker. Idle hands were not known to him, and you could always find him tinkering with something. The definition of an entrepreneur, during his years in Louisiana Robert was the proud owner of several auto shops. He loved working on cars, (unless you mentioned transmissions, they were his absolute nemesis). Robert enjoyed playing pool and three-ball was his favorite. He always said, “It was about building the pot up, because if you showed all your cards at the beginning, you’d never be the winner”.

Robert will always be remembered for standing up for what was right, his uncanny auto knowledge, and his amazing ability to tell jokes, even in the darkest of times.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Helen Roberts Hood; father, Clair B. Hood, Sr.; and sister Lynn Annette Hood of Virginia Beach.

He is survived by Mrs. Linda Knighten, his loving partner, who made his last twenty-five years the best; his siblings, Clair Burt Hood, Jr. (Cheryl) of Interlachen, Fla.; Tammy Hood Jennings of Virginia Beach; Michael “Micky" Hood of Denham Springs; Larry Hood (Brenda) of Norfolk, Va.; and Nancy Tallakson (Bruce) of Murphys, Calif.; five daughters, Christine Bovat (John Ackerman) of Chesapeake; Pennylayne Sullivan (Patrick) of Virginia Beach; Rebecca Plaisance of Baton Rouge; Jennifer Hood of Denham Springs; and Lisa Hood of Watson; his grandchildren (who knew him by nothing other than “Grand Dude”), Bailey, Sydney, Payten, Sam, Kara, Mason, Elizabeth, Isaac, Cayden and Hunter; multiple great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank the nurses of Baton Rouge Hospice for making his last days at home comfortable, and for having provided our family with comfort and support through our grief. We would also like to thank the staff of the Butterfly Wing at the Baton Rouge General for their dedication, care, and compassion.

Although you are no longer here with us physically, we know you will always be here in our times of need. See ya on the other side, Dad.