A community giant is no longer with us.
Roger Wood — an Atwater native son with a legacy as a businessman, civic leader, and radio show host who helped unite the region through conversation — died Aug. 5 at home after a brief illness. He was 85.
“Roger had a profound impact on our community,” said Kory Billings, a family friend and city clerk in Atwater. “He always wanted what was best for everyone and was willing to give his time, talent, and resources to make our community a better place.”
Wood was the son of the legendary Elmer Wood, an Atwater farming pioneer who created the Wood Fruit Company around 1928. Roger was born on Dec. 21, 1940. After college and time spent in the military, he would help run operations for the growing family business along with his older brother Jim and other relatives. Together they employed thousands of seasonal workers for decades until the corporation was sold to the Dole Food Company in 2004.
However, Wood was equally known for his civic engagement. He joined the Atwater Rotary Club in 1968 and loyally followed the club’s mission for the rest of his life, often as one of the major promoters of events such as the annual Lobster Fest.
Wood served on the board of the Atwater Elementary School District in the 1970s and early ’80s, and later on the board of the Farm Bureau. Most importantly, he served on the early UC Merced Committee, and was a driving force in the community-wide postcard writing campaign to convince UC regents that Merced was the best place to build their 10th campus.
Wood reportedly bought up every postcard he could find in Merced and Atwater. He used staff at his family’s fruit company to help bundle and distribute thousands of cards, including to local school children who captured the hearts of the decision-makers. The regents ended up voting 19-3 in favor of the Merced site. After the new university plans started rolling, Wood would go on to serve the UC Merced Foundation for about 20 years.
Meanwhile, Wood discovered he had a voice for local radio. It started out when he volunteered to do a public service announcement on KYOS about the annual Rotary lobster dinner. He must have made a good impression because the morning show host invited Wood back to do a weekly 5-minute segment on activities in Atwater. The experience eventually led to a more permanent Saturday morning show — “Community Conversations” — organized by the public information offices of the Office of Education, the City of Merced and Merced County.
For two decades, Wood’s folksy, down-to-earth interview style connected listeners with the civic leaders, educators and artists shaping their community. He worked on Community Conversations right up to his recent illness.
“I can’t get used to being without him,” said Casey Steed, another KYOS standout who helped produce Community Conversations with Wood over the past 14 years. “We lost a great guy, one of my best friends, and a familiar voice on these airwaves.”
Throughout his life — and remarkably in his later years — Wood was a fixture at local events. He was just as likely to be seen at major fundraisers, social functions, and holiday gatherings as he was at an Atwater City Council meeting, an Atwater High basketball game, or breakfast at Granny’s Pantry on Saturday mornings.
More often than not, his wife of 47 years, Chi Chi, was by his side. The couple remained extremely active in the community in recent years, all while helping to raise multiple grandchildren.
In total, Wood leaves behind four children: Daryl Wood (Audra); Andrea Hillyard (Tim); Amy Vann (Steven); and Alan Kamykowski (Kristin). His 12 grandchildren: Alec Wood (Kelsey), Megan Bowen (Joe), Shannon Hillyard, Daniel Vann, Alison Grosbeier, Joseph Kamykowski, Brett Hillyard, Clay Hillyard, Joshua Vann, Mathew Kamykowski, Haven Kamykowski, Syd Kamykowski. And his 5 great grandchildren: Mason and Erin Bowen, Jolene Wood and Ryder Riddle, and Maxine Grosbeier.
Thoughts from friends
“Roger was always everywhere, all the time,” said Greg Olzack, a former mayor of Atwater. “Everywhere you went, it seemed, he would be there. Sometimes I’d call him and always he would be somewhere with Chi Chi and the grandkids. I think it was probably the year before last when he said he had taken the grandkids up skiing, and he was skiing also. He was probably 83 at the time. And so I’m thinking, ‘My God, he’s indestructible.'”
Longtime Merced businessman, E.J. Lorenzi, recalls learning from Elmer Wood as a mentor and someone who served on the Merced Irrigation District board. Lorenzi said when he got to know Roger Wood, he was equally inspired.
“The respect I had for his father, I had for Roger too,” Lorenzi said. “He was the same kind of man. He was a straight shooter. He was always there for different organizations, whether it was for the junior college, the university, or the theater. But the broader deal was that he brought people together.”
Sarah Lim, the director of the Merced County Courthouse Museum, pointed out that Wood loved local history.
“He believed that education was the most effective way to preserve and spread the rich history of Merced County,” she said. “As a producer of the Community Conversations at KYOS, he frequently invited us to join the discussions and share updates on the upcoming exhibits at the Courthouse Museum and events hosted by the Historical Society. His commitment to promoting Merced County history extended beyond his radio program, as he also wrote historical articles of local interest. In recognition of his contributions to historical promotion, the Merced County Historical Society awarded him the Heacox Pioneer History Award in 2015. His presence will be deeply missed.”
Jim Cunningham, who worked with Wood during the UC Merced Committee days, described him as a good man who was kind-hearted, generous, honorable and admired.
“Mark Twain said, ‘In life you meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those people you can’t forget. Those are your friends.’ … Roger was one of those people. Roger’s personality taught many how to live, laugh, love and care for family, friends and community.”
Kory Billings of Atwater added: “As a Rotarian, Roger truly lived by the motto ‘Service Above Self.’ He was always one of the first to volunteer when we were working on a project or community activity. He didn’t just talk about service — he led by example.
“What made Roger so special was that he never sought recognition for what he did. He simply saw a need and stepped up to help. His generosity, humility, and commitment to serving others were an example to all of us.
“Our community has suffered a great loss with Roger’s passing. But his legacy doesn’t have to end with him. If we follow Roger’s example — if we continue to give of our time, talents, and treasure, and put service above self — we can continue to grow, make a difference, and accomplish amazing things together.”
Services
A viewing will be held on Thursday, Aug. 13, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Wilson Family Funeral Chapel. Burial will be private.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. at Atwater Community Center.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to local Atwater organizations that were near to Roger’s heart such as the Atwater Historical Society, New Beginnings for Merced County Animals, Atwater Rotary Club and the Atwater Ag Boosters.
Radio Tribute
Radio Merced KYOS 1480 will pay tribute to longtime Community Conversations host Roger Wood on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
If you have a story or memory of Roger, please share it on the Radio Merced/KYOS Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/