Robert “Bob” Herbert Woods, age 85, of Forsyth passed away on December 10, 2020 at the Rosebud Healthcare Center in Forsyth, Montana after a brief illness surrounded by family. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on Nov. 5, 1935 to Herbert and Natalie Hall Woods and has two sisters, Natalie “Nini” and Victoria “Vicky”.
Robert went to high school in Wellesley, MA and played football, baseball, and hockey. Robert graduated from high school at seventeen years old and joined the Marine Corp. He later returned to Massachusetts and graduated from Babson College. He met and married Carol Smith and to this union they had two sons, Scott born in 1957 and Doug born in 1960. They later divorced.
Robert met Swiss born Margareta Keller while she was working in Boston as a governess for Harvard Professors who had five children. Bob and Margareta married on April 15, 1965 and Bob began working for Johns Manville in New York City. Daughter Audrey was born Feb. 3, 1966 in Queens, NY. The family transferred to Paoli, Pennsylvania in 1967 for his job and son Robert was born in 1970. Bob and Margareta transferred to Helena, MT in 1979, then to Albuquerque, NM in 1984 while still working for Johns Manville. Bob retired in 1996 after 36 years of working for the same company. They moved to Hysham, MT where their daughter Audrey and her family resided. Bob and Margareta opened the Hysham Motel and operated it together for 11 years.
Bob and Margareta were very involved with the wonderful Hysham community for 20 years. They participated in many activities involving their three grandchildren Abbey, Brooke and Hunter, who loved cleaning rooms at the motel and played many heated games of Rummikub together! Bob and Margareta became “snow birds” traveling to Yuma, AZ in the winter and enjoyed 15 years at Gila MT RV Park where Bob acquired a passion for shuffleboard! He always loved the USA vs. Canada championships and never missed a chance to shuffle!
They re-retired in 2016 moving to the “Villa” in Forsyth and so enjoyed the active community Forsyth had to offer and spent many hours at the senior citizens center and First Baptist Church. At a family function at the ranch, Bob discovered the game of cornhole and became obsessed with becoming an above average player! He practiced and organized a league at First Baptist Church which also included a bible study and wonderful fellowship. We all loved his enthusiasm and active lifestyle! Bob was an avid Red Sox fan and loved the Denver Broncos as well!
Robert(Bob) is survived by his wife of 55 years Margareta, his sons Scott from California, Doug (Tiffany) from Florida, Robert (Rebekah) from Washington and his daughter Audrey (Shawn) from Montana. Robert (Bob) was blessed with 10 grandchildren: Tyler, Cody, Kayla (Joaquin) Rodriguez and Mackensie Woods; Sydney, Hailey Crowell and Zoey Woods; Abbey (Ryan) Bruski, Brooke and Hunter Hollowell. Robert’s blessings continued with 11 great-grandchildren: Rainey, Knoxley and Tatum Woods; Avery and Norah Rodriguez; Evie Woods; Kinlee, Weston and Sadie Crowell; Bekka and Harper Bruski. He is also survived by his two sisters Natalie Haile from California and Victoria (Dan) Archabal from Massachusetts, brother-in-laws Oskar Keller from Switzerland, Herbert (Margrit) Keller from Canada, Erhard (Martha) Keller from Switzerland and sister-in-law Verena(Massimo) Leoni from Italy along with numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff and providers at Rosebud Healthcare Center in Forsyth, MT for the wonderful care Bob received during his brief stay and to Pastor Bill Sikes and the congregation at Forsyth Baptist Church for their prayers, love and support during the difficult time our family faced in December losing our loved one.
Memorial services will be held Friday, April 16th, 2021 at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, MT with family receiving friends from 4-6 p.m. followed by a service at 6 p.m. The memorial service will be livestreamed if you are unable to attend. On Saturday, April 17th, 2021 at 11 a.m. there will be a graveside service with full military honors at Hysham Vale Cemetery in Hysham, MT with a reception following at the Hollowell Ranch in Mission Valley, MT. Memorial donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Forsyth or Forsyth Senior Citizens Center. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements and we thank them for guiding us through this difficult journey. To leave condolences for the family, visit our website at www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday April 16, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Memorial Service
6:00 PM
Friday April 16, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 West Wind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
11:00 AM
Saturday April 17, 2021
Hysham Vale Cemetery
Hysham, Montana 59038
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Saturday April 17, 2021
Hollowell Ranch
78 Hollowell Road
Hysham, Montana 59038
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday April 16, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Memorial Service
6:00 PM
Friday April 16, 2021
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 West Wind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Graveside Service with Full Military Honors
11:00 AM
Saturday April 17, 2021
Hysham Vale Cemetery
Hysham, Montana 59038
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Saturday April 17, 2021
Hollowell Ranch
78 Hollowell Road
Hysham, Montana 59038
Share
Larry & Vicky Fink says
Audrey & family…so sorry to hear Bob passed away. We sure missed your folks when they moved to Forsyth. Bob always kept us briefed on what was going on in Hysham! Our deepest sympathy to all.
Arlen & Barb Kirkaldie says
With deepest sympathy Our prayers and Love are with The Family. Thank you all for sharing him with us ,it was such a blessing to know him and visit with him .
We love you all.
Jim & Lavina Hall says
Sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. May he rest in peace.
Ryan Tooke says
I’ll cheer for the Red Sox in memory of Bob.
Rita FitzGerald says
No way can I express how knowing Bob and Margarette improved my outlook on life! What a couple and such a love affair is hard to find these days👨❤️💋👨. Whether in the restaurant, in church or in their living room there were such wonderful stories! Being missed is not nearly the words that express the void we have now that Bob has joined JESUS in his mansion!
Peggy and Earl says
Earl joins me in sending heartfelt condolences to you in the passing of your beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather. May you find comfort in warm memories, and in knowing others sympathize and care.
sharon cope says
My thoughts and prayers to all of you. May you find comfort in all the memories.
Meghan Schwend says
I am so sorry to hear this. I spoke with Frau Woods last year at the New Year’s gathering and had such a wonderful experience. It makes me so sad and I hope Frau Woods is doing as well as possible during this difficult time.
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences.
Jordann says
Audrey and family in the short amount of time I got to know your dad he was truly one of a kind! My condolences.
Elsie Sorenson says
Prayers and love to all of you. What a great friend who we will miss. God bless
Harold and Elsie Sorenson
Abbey, Ryan, Bekka & Harper Bruski says
Grandpa, we will miss your smile and laugh. You’re love for the Broncos, running errands with you and having Dairy Queen dates when we came to town. You were there for everything through our lives and we will miss you dearly. Rest easy grandpa. We will see you again someday
We love you
Shelly Batey says
Prayers to you all. What a blessing he was to your family. Shelly and Dee Batey
Kay and Rocky Berdahl says
Sorry to hear of Bob’s passing! He will be missed by many!
Skip and Pam White says
Audrey and Family Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Bob will long be remembered. He always had a smile and a friendly conversation.
Terri Brown says
I will surely miss Bob’s lovable smile and kind words when he came to school running his errands. Truly a gentleman. Our sincere sympathy to his family.
Terri and Charlie Brown
Jan says
Audrey & Family,
Sending you hugs and prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻Our sincere condolences.
Jan, Rolly & Family
George and Ina says
Dear family of Bob Woods. How very sorry we are to hear of his passing. May God truly bless your memories and hold you all in His loving hands. Bob was a really great neighbor. Thank yo for allowing us to know him.
Most sincerely, George and Ina Haines and family.
Gary & Tawny Nelson says
Bob & Margarette were the 1st ones so hospitable to Gary & I when I 1st moved to Hysham! He was so business-like but so caring! Prayers for Audrey & the entire extended family!!
Gary & Tawny Nelson
Family Keller says
Dear Family Woods and Hollowell,
we all send you our hugs and love. We will miss Bob with its smile and passions too. We are with you all in this bad times
Take care and lots of love,
Stefan, Victoria, Emilie and Swiss Keller Family
Robert and Naomi Rusdal says
So Sorry to see that Bob passed away… Missed seeing him and his little green car.
Our Sympathy to wife and Family.
Vonna Hensley says
Bob will be missed in Yuma. WE always had a spirited football rivalry when the Seahawks and Broncos met. He often checked with me to see what was going on in Pasco since he had children here. I miss playing card with him and Margareta. Sympathy to the family.
Rick Nowak says
Sorry to hear that Bob passed away. He followed me in Montana when I left JM for a few years. Always a perfect gentlemen and well respected in the industry. Our thoughts and prayers.
Vicki and Dan Archabal and family says
Was nice to read all the kind thoughts about Bob. We too want to send our condolences. he always had a kind word to say about everybody He made his family very happy.
Kitty Pugh says
Bob’s picture is the best i’ve ever seen for showing his personality. I never saw him without a smile for very long, if ever. I’m sorry for your loss. His passing will leave a big hole in your hearts, but remembrances will be delightful. Take care of yourselves. Stay safe. Hugs and Grins to you all, including your Mom. Love, Kitty Pugh
Gerald & Lorraine Ackerman says
We fell in love with Bob and Margareta when we first met them a few years ago. Gerald loved giving Bob a hard time when talking about ranch life, especially brandings. Lorraine got a blessing every time she was with Margareta in the small prayer group on Wednesday night. Their love for Jesus, their smiles, their love for family and friends are fond memories and an example for all of us to follow.