Richard “Dick” L. Wood, age 70, of Helena

Richard Lew Wood

Dec 12, 1947 – Jan 25, 2018

Richard Lew “Dick” Wood, age 70, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2018. Dick was born in Helena, MT on December 12, 1947 to Richard G. Wood and Grace Nelson Wood from their union three children were born, Richard, Donald and Yvonne. Richard and Grace were later divorced. Grace later married George Hiltabrand and the family was enlarged by two more sons Scot and Herbert Hiltabrand. Richard excelled in sports in High School, he lettered in football with the Bengals, rode Bareback horses in High School Rodeo and was a member of the Helena Boxing Club. Prior to graduating in 1967, he joined the United States Marine Corp and was in the first all Montana Platoon to join the USMC. After graduating, he married Vicki Semenza, of their marriage two sons were born Stanley Allen and Kevin Arthur. Dick and Vicki were later divorced and remained friends. After Boot Camp and training as an aircraft and helicopter mechanic, Dick was deployed to Vietnam, first stopping in the Philippines as he was over on a secret mission with the first OV-10 air-craft to be put in service in Vietnam, this was in 1968. He was in Vietnam during the 1968 TET Offensive. Richard and his brothers, Donald and Herbert and his Step-father George were all in Vietnam at the same time. Upon his return from Vietnam he re-enlisted in the USMC and was proud to serve with his brother Donald at Alameda Air Station in California where they were both sergeants and Plane Captains. Richard left the USMC in 1974 after 7 ½ years of honorable service; he received many awards and high recognitions from his superiors. After the service he began a new career as a dietetic cook at V.A. Fort Harrison, a career the lasted 22 ½ years. Dick was awarded numerous awards as a Chef and head cook becoming a supervisor when he stepped down so he could be a hands-on person and work with the crew. Dick was Vice President of Local 3750 Union at Ft Harrison. While there he met his wife Debra Sperry. He retired from the V.A. in 1996. Dick went on to cook at various other places in Helena before retiring for good in 2012. Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Debra; his father, Richard Wood and stepmother Kathryn. Stepfather, George Hiltabrand and sister Yvonne Hiltabrand and maternal grandparents Arthur and Florence Nelson and Leonard and Fern Wood, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces and cousins. He is survived by his mother, Grace Hiltabrand; sons, Stanley Wood of Helena and Kevin Wood of Minnesota. One grandchild, Victoria Wood. Brothers, Donald Wood of Helena, Scot (Lynn) Hiltabrand of California, Herbert (JoLane) Hiltabrand of Minnesota. Aunts Suzanne Bidmead of Helena and Frances Nelson of East Helena and several cousins, nieces and nephews.  A service with Full Military Honors will be held March 30^th, 2018 at Fort Harrison Cemetery with his wife. Rest in Peace Richard you are truly missed by all. You are now with the Lord

Service Schedule

Graveside Service

11:00 a.m.

Friday March 30, 2018

Montana State Veterans Cemetary

1900 Williams Street

Helena, MT 59602

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