Richard “Dick” M. Woods Jr. passed peacefully out of this life on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at the age of 87. His beloved wife, Karen, and daughters were with him in his final days and hours.
He was born on May 12, 1935, to Richard M. and Mildred H. Woods Sr. in Elmira, NY. Dick graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1952. He attended Cornell University from 1952-1954 and 1958-1960; his college career was interrupted for service in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. On August 13, 1960, he was joined in marriage to Karen E. Finkler in Syracuse, NY. They enjoyed 62 years together.
Dick is survived by his wife, Karen; their two daughters, Wendy Bunker and Lori (John) Gronbeck; five grandchildren: Andrew, Jennifer, Katelyn, Morgan, and Lauren; and two great-grandchildren: Emmeline and Isabelle.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, J. David Woods.
Dick was employed by the Rome Savings Bank from 1966 until his retirement in 1997. He attended the Brown University Graduate School of Banking. During his years with the bank he served as an appraiser, vice president, and senior vice president.
Dick will be remembered for his kind and generous nature. He enjoyed any opportunity to lend a helping hand, especially when it involved hard work outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, swimming, sailing, and skiing, excelling in all of these activities. In the mid-1960s, when his brother, David, was making the dream of Woods Valley a reality, Dick joined enthusiastically in the labor. Dick’s favorite place on earth was the summer home at Caroga Lake. He was able to spend time working on the house, the yard, cutting down trees, and even taking time to climb mountains, sail, swim, and play cribbage with his cousin, Jim.
Dick was active in the Rome community as a member of several organizations including Rome Area Chamber of Commerce, The Red Cross, the board of Bethany House, Griffiss Military Affairs Committee, Griffiss Ski Club, St. Paul’s choir, and the men’s Barbershop chorus. He served for many years on the Woods Valley Ski Patrol, where he was on hand to help “dust you off” and set your skis to rights. The daily “final sweep” was a joyful ritual for him and his fellow patrol members.
A memorial service at Woods Valley is planned for the summer when Dick’s beloved family and friends can be together to reflect and celebrate his wonderful life.
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