Dear Hope: I worked with Roger at FDOT about 20-25 years ago in Miami.  My deepest condolences. He was such a wonderful person and excellent lawyer.  I retired in 2022. I met you at a statewide meeting. He was so devoted to you and family, I am truly sorry to hear he died so young.  I am sure you have a lot of wonderful memories and I hope you know how much he inspired others to be kind like he always was. 

LILLIAN VALDESPINO
FDOT D6 1993-2022

So Roger was a tremendous person plus mentor to me as mentioned by others.   In the office, Roger was my neighbor for many years. At the doors to our office, we often talked plus compared notes about being married to a medical professional.  He spoke glowingly of his daughter's pursuit of medical school which ultimately made his move to Tampa.   

For the record, I found out he was a 1974 All-American Swimmer for the 400 free relay at Northwestern. I asked him why he never brought it up like most people would do.   He said to me it was in the past plus not necessary for doing his job. Which to me demonstrates the excellence yet humbleness that Roger touched so many people with.  He possessed a machine-like work ethic, plus incredible talent but remained so very low key of his tremendous accomplishments.  Roger always shared the "A" answer with you after you gave him a B or C answer to his questions, the extra-legal research or due diligence on a more "soup to nuts" complete answer that helped move the needle for the client. 

He repeatedly helped me with difficult situations by suggesting to not let your emotions get the best of you; refuse to take the bait and respond with a simple statement to being emotionally challenged by stating "you made me a better lawyer."  So you know, I never realized how much I relied on Roger to bounce ideas, thoughts, or things off until he had moved to Tampa. His willingness to listen to you, honestly share his best with you plus work hard was very rare set of virtues and character traits.  The beautiful fruit of Roger's life bears witness to those.  

Rest easy Mr. Wood.

You were a wonderful neighbor that Tina and I had the absolute pleasure of knowing.  You will be missed

Dear Wood Family,

I'm very sorry for your loss. I worked with Roger at Florida DOT in the General Counsel's office from 2010 until Roger retired. I was a young attorney just out of law school. Roger was a little intimidating at first. He could be argumentative about positions you were taking but I soon gathered that was his way of making of think critically about your own opinions so you could better defend them or modify them if necessary. But I soon found Roger was very considerate and generous.  Roger was a model of what a lawyer and good man should be. This was particularly helpful to me as my own father had passed away a few years earlier in 2007. Roger was always diligent. He held himself to a high standard and he expected that of others. But you wanted to do better when around Roger because he set such a good example. And, of course, Roger was brilliant. He probably could have worked anywhere he wanted though I suspect he valued the balance working for FDOT gave to his family life. To this day, when I'm confronted with a difficult work situation I think, "what would Roger do?"
Im very sorry that Roger is gone but I hope it is a small consolation to you that Roger had a huge positive impact on so many lives.

My condolences,

Matt Childs

Our condolences, he was an amazing Husband, Father, Grandpa and brother in law.  He will be missed but left a legacy of integrity and love. Praying for all .  Love Robin and Don

I had the honor to work with Roger when I was early in my career. He was such a great mentor and I enjoyed learning his perspective and pragmatic approach to problem solving. His energy and positive attitude will be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with the family.  I hope the family can take comfort that he left a positive impact in the world.

Dear Hope, Sara, and Katy, Roger's love for you! Wonderful and beautiful and bright and glorious. 🙏🙏🙏

To Hope and the rest of Roger's family - please know how saddened I was to learn of his passing.  Roger was my mentor here at FDOT and I thought the world of him - his humor, wisdom and bottomless basket of kindness will be remembered forever.  I will be thinking of each of you as you go through the process of learning to live without this incredible human.  Sonya Daws

OBITUARY

Roger Blain Wood

November 7, 1951 – March 15, 2025

Blount & Curry Funeral Home-Carrollwood

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