Richard C. Woods

Born to Martin and Veronica (Krist) Woods on April 25, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois, Richard attended school in that city, and graduated from Tilden Technical High School there. He worked for two years after high school in sheet metal jobs, including helping to install duct work on the John Hancock building. Richard then attended Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois, graduating in 1972 with bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology. During his undergraduate years, Richard worked for the Chicago Transportation Authority, driving city buses in the summer to pay for his education. He also worked at the Illinois School for the Deaf during each school year, to help supplement his income. While at Illinois College, Richard met Doris Stamschror, whom he married on June 10, 1972 in Galesburg, Illinois. They then moved to Champaign, IL to attend graduate school, where Richard obtained a master’s degree in psycholinguistics. Richard also completed all the coursework needed for the doctoral degree, but unfortunately, did not complete the dissertation. In 1977, he was employed by Northern Illinois University teaching psychology and psycholinguistics, then was hired by Rescue Crisis Services in Toledo, OH when Doris went to school at the University of Toledo in 1979. Over the years, Richard worked for many mental health agencies, becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, and performing individual, small group, and family therapy. Richard was a life-long Chicago Cubs, Bears and Blackhawks fan, and rooted strongly for the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Illinois sports teams. Although Richard had several heart problems, he became dedicated to outliving the male members of his family, most of whom succumbed to heart disease prior to the age of 45. He took up walking as a hobby, joining the Maumee Valley Volkssporters and the American Volkssport Association. He walked up to three 10 kilometer walks a week while working, and did as many as 6 walks a week after retirement. He found 10K walks on various vacation trips he and Doris took, participated in several half-marathons, and exercised by stationary cycling and lifting weights. A proud Eagle Scout, Richard was an assistant scoutmaster for many troops, both before and after his son (also an Eagle Scout) and oldest grandson (a Life Scout) joined scouting. Richard was an avid reader, and often received incentive awards from the local library. In October 2019, Richard was formally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, having shown symptoms for several years prior. He retired from Harbor Behavioral Health Care in December 2019. Unfortunately, his symptoms, especially memory and balance issues, increased fairy rapidly, and after several falls at home, he entered Hospice of Northwest Ohio in February 2021. He transitioned to a nursing/rehabilitation facility in March 2021, and died there on Friday, May 14, 2021. Many thanks go to the staff at Flower Hospital, Hospice NWO, and Divine Rehabilitation. Richard is survived by his wife Doris, daughters Michelle (Rob) Warnke, and Carolyn, and son Rob (Elena); grandchildren Spencer Woods, Grace Floyd, Natalie Woods, and Gabriel Woods, and great-grandson Brayden Woods. Also surviving are sister Kathy (Ray) Zielinski, and sister-in-law Ida Woods. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Marty Woods, and sister Susan Racay, and parents-in-law Vivian and John Stamschror. Additional survivors are many nieces and nephews, aunt Jeanette Krist, sisters in-law Liz (Mike) Crampton, Rita (Ken) Diviney, Pam (Brian) Moriarity, brother-in-law Chuck (Amy) Stamschror, and a host of cousins on the Krist and Woods sides.