Obituary

Dr. Robert (Bob) Moore Woods DDS, age 91, slipped away peacefully to eternal rest on July 1, 2024 at Hospice of Dayton of natural causes. He was born in August of 1932 in Akron, Ohio. He is preceded in death by his wife Mariam Ator Woods, his parents Charles and Willie (Moore) Woods and older brother Charles William (Bill) Woods.

While growing up, Bob attended Goodyear Heights Baptist Church, where he sang in the choir and performed music on the piano. He attended Akron East High school and graduated in 1950. He shortly thereafter enlisted in the US Air Force during the Korean War where he was trained and served as an auto mechanic before upgrading to airplane mechanic on the RB-47 reconnaissance aircraft. Upon being honorably discharged from the USAF in 1954, Bob attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and met the love of his life, Mariam Ator. They were married on September 11, 1955.

Bob decided to follow his father’s profession and studied at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He started a dental practice in Huber Heights, where Mariam and Bob started their family. While there he served as choir director of their church. Bob also ran for and won a seat on the Huber Heights Board of Education. He then took the position of Assistant to the Dean of the College of Dentistry at the University of Kentucky, Lexington. In 1967 Bob and Mariam decided that he should pursue a certification in Orthodontics from Columbia University in New York City. With Bob’s love of the performing arts, he liked to let others know that he had ‘studied on Broadway’, which in fact he did.

In 1969 Bob and Mariam and the children moved to Centerville, Ohio to start his Orthodontics practice using the Begg technique. He eventually set up practice in West Carrollton on Alex-Bell Road, near State Route 741. He ran his sole proprietorship for many years, retiring in 1994 after having served over 2,000 patients.

The Woods family joined Southminster Presbyterian Church in 1969 and were an active part of the church. Bob sang in the choir, organized or played trombone in numerous ensembles, many with his children and grandchildren. Bob was a trombone player for many years for the Kettering Civic Band as well as the Centerville Community Band, performing in numerous parades and concerts throughout the years. Later in his musical pursuits he performed in the bell choir at Southminster. He also served as an Assistant Scoutmaster to Boy Scout Troop 516 which is sponsored by Southminster.

Bob was active in the theater productions that occurred both at Southminster and Kettering Theater Under the Stars. He not only participated in the actual productions with singing and acting, he also designed and built numerous stage sets for many years. Bob was very proficient at general construction, plumbing and electrical work, and was a wonderful teacher to his family and friends.

Additionally, Bob enjoyed being a patron of the local theaters around Dayton. Whether it was attending productions at Wright State University or local Dayton Theatre Guild, he was always up for a show and sharing the evening with family and friends.

He loved traveling, both domestic and abroad and diligently kept track of his travels on a world map in his office, filling it with pins to mark each location visited. Bob and Mariam took numerous cruises around the world. After Mariam’s death in 2003, Bob shared a special friendship with Beverly Ingle, with whom he also shared his love of travel and theater until her passing in 2022.

Robert is survived by his 3 children: Janet (Todd) Hall, Nancy Nichols (David Towell) and John (Holly) Woods, his 10 grandchildren: Audrey, Eric, Erin, Ingrid, Kaitlyn, Luke, Madelyn, Nathan, Sam and Willie, and 4 great grandchildren: Ben, Max, Will and Harper.

In his last days, the family was overwhelmed with the love and support of Hospice of Dayton and the ministry of Dr. Nancy Birdsong of Southminster Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of Dayton or the music ministry of Southminster Presbyterian Church.

The family will receive friends at Southminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday, July 13th for calling hours at noon; a Memorial Service to follow at 1pm.
Private interment at a later time.

Service & great care entrusted to Schlientz & Moore Funeral Home.
Condolences, fond memories and photos may be shared at www.DaytonFunerals.com