Robert “Rob” McCoy Wood, 75, of Sacramento, CA, passed away at Sutter Medical Center on 2/18/24.
He was born on July 23rd, 1948, to Milton McCoy “Mickey” Wood and Leah (Bibby) Wood in Visalia, CA.
Rob spent much of his childhood in Davis, where he attended Davis Senior High School (Class of ’66) and was a proud member of the Blue Devils football team. He joined the Army in 1967, serving in Ismir, Turkey. Shortly after returning to the U.S., he moved to Sacramento to attend Sacramento State, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1975.
After graduation he joined the California State Parks Department as an intern and worked his way up to become a pivotal member of the California State Capitol Restoration Project, responsible for researching, planning, and completing nine historical house museum rooms that you can still see in the capitol’s west wing today.
He met his wife, Laurie (Goldstein) Wood, when he was a historian for State Parks. They married in April 1986. They welcomed their daughter, Hannah, in October 1987.
After his role as the Acting Director of the California State Capitol Museum from 1992-1993, Rob moved on to become a curator at the California State Railroad Museum, then a program analyst at the California State Indian Museum, and subsequently held the same position at the Native American Heritage Commission. He officially retired in 2016.
Throughout his years in service for the State of California, Rob was not only an advocate for the protection of American Indian tribal lands, he was also a member of the Cherokee Nation, and an At-Large Leader who was actively involved with the Northern Cherokee Community of California. His other passions included hiking and panning for gold at his family’s mining claim in Plumas County, biking, family genealogy, gardening, yoga, and rooting for the San Francisco 49ers.
Rob is survived by his wife, daughter, and many members of his wife’s extended family.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Robert Bibby, along with his parents, his brother, Barry, and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 25th, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Home of Peace on 6200 Stockton Boulevard in Sacramento,CA. In lieu of flowers please send a donation to a cause of your choice that aligns with one of his varied interests.
A celebration of life will be held in summer 2024.
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