Robert “Dale” Wood, loving husband and father of five children, passed away at the age of 80 on Friday, June 5, at Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Nebraska.
Dale was born September 28, 1939, at his grandparents’ home in Hemingford, Nebraska to Leonard and Bernice (Delsing) Wood. Upon graduation from Hemingford High School in 1957, he joined the US Marine Corps. On December 29, 1959, Dale was united in marriage to the love of his life, Marilyn Tinsley, and they returned to California where Dale was stationed, and when he completed his enlistment, the couple returned to Hemingford, where he began his long career in the construction business. Dale started out working with Jeff Traster, but soon struck out on his own, building Wood Construction into a thriving business that continues to this day.
Dale and Marilyn welcomed their first son, Robert (Bob), in 1960, followed by Sherri, Randy, Ronny, and Kimberly. He was a very involved father, serving as a Boy Scout Master and building scores of pinewood derby cars. He taught his sons how to build everything from playhouses for their sisters to actual houses for many homeowners throughout the Nebraska Panhandle. He enjoyed hunting with his boys, cooking with his girls, and spending time on the family farm north of Hemingford. Family was important to Dale, which was evident as he supported his children in all of their activities. Later, he would become the #1 fan for his grandchildren in their endeavors, as well. You could always expect a smile and a joke when you met Dale on the street, and it was not unusual to find him in the kitchen, making peanut brittle, cookies, or egg rolls when he had some spare time. Of course, that left our mom to clean the kitchen, which she mostly did with a smile on her face. He was famous for his Daleburgers, which were a hit at family gatherings and other celebrations around Hemingford. He had a creative mind and spent hours perfecting special gifts for all of the family.
Dale is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of Hemingford; sons Bob (Johnna) Wood, Randy (Jennifer) Wood, and Ronny (Terri) Wood of Hemingford; and daughters Sherri (Marty) Petersen of Alliance, and Kimberly (Lee) Davies of North Platte. Grandchildren are Taryn and Rindi Wood; T.J., Tad, and Troy Petersen; Nicholas and Matthew Wood; Baily Miskimins, Kelsy Sasse, and Jamey Wood; Joey and Ashlyn Casados; and Makenzie, Alex, Joshua, Justin, and Karlie Davies; and 11 great grandchildren. In addition, Dale is survived by his brother, Jim (Patti) Wood, sisters Betty (Louis) Sauer, Shirley (Bob) Zeiler, Mary Ann (Jerry) Tripple, Doris (Rod) Christensen, Deb (Randy) Vogel, and Carol Wood Deans; sister in law Alma Wood. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles Wood, father and mother in law Harold and Janiece Tinsley, brother in law Norman Tinsley, niece Lisa Wood, and nephew Jason Sauer.
Due to the current Coronavirus situation, funeral and wake services will be private. The family will receive friends for a visitation at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Hemingford, on Tuesday, June 9, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, June 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the church, with Fr. Tim Stoner officiating. Burial will be in the Hemingford Cemetery with military honors, led by Sgt. Tate (T.J.) Petersen. Plans will be made for a Celebration of Life at a later date, when gathering restrictions are lifted. Memorials may be made in Dale’s name to Bobcats Beating Cancer or to the Hemingford Volunteer Fire Department.