Ronald Dean Wood

Ronald Dean Wood, 90, of Waterloo, passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, February 1, 2026 with family by his side. He was born July 25, 1935, in Waterloo, and graduated from Waterloo West High School in 1953. He married the love of his life, Phyllis Benjamin, on June 12, 1964, in Waterloo.

Ron was a member of Cedar Heights Baptist Church. He served in the AWANA program for 14 years and later found great joy in completing various projects at the church.

He joined the Iowa Army National Guard in 1954 and served in B Company, 133rd Infantry, 34th Division, which later became the 1063rd Aviation Company (Light Aircraft). He attended the Iowa Military Academy, where he was appointed Second Lieutenant, and served as Platoon Leader of Maintenance and Training Officer before his honorable discharge in 1964.

Ron was a wood master patternmaker for 44 years, working at various job shops, most notably Manning Pattern for 26 years, before retiring from John Deere in 2002. He was a member of the Patternmakers League of North America, which later merged into the International Association of Machinists, where he held several leadership positions, including business agent.

Ron loved the outdoors. He was a charter member of the Waterloo Waterhawks Ski Team. He also loved fishing (more than you can imagine), woodworking (most recently building wooden toys), telling funny stories, and spending time with family and friends. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren brought him immense joy. Above all else, Ron was committed to his family, who will miss him dearly.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 62 years, Phyllis Wood of Waterloo; a daughter, Kimberly (James II) Savage of Callahan, Florida; two sons, Steven (Karin) Wood of Wadsworth, Illinois, and Mark (Lusett) Wood of Kapaa, Hawaii; his brothers, Edward Jr. (Shirley) Wood and Charles (Linda) Wood; his grandchildren: Jessica, Jacob, Jillian, Carter, Julia, Colton, Bradley, Caleb, Ibn, Jacob, Savanna, Craig, Dawn, and Brandy; twin great-grandsons Calvin and Arthur Wood, and, soon, a great-granddaughter, Lily.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ruth (Creighton) Wood; his son, Wayne Wood, and his sister, Marilyn Wood Dinsdale Jellings.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Cedar Heights Baptist Church in Cedar Falls. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. for a time of visitation before the service. A brief graveside memorial will follow at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery, with a lunch afterward at the church.

The family extends their gratitude to the wonderful staff at Wellspring Living Health Center and Cedar Valley Hospice for the exceptional care, comfort and kindness to Ron and his family, and to the many friends for their visits, cards, and prayers.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Cedar Heights Baptist Church or Cedar Valley Hospice.