Professor emeritus Robert Wood - photo by Kenneth L. Smith
NDSU professor emeritus Robert A. Wood died Oct. 27 following an extended illness. He was 72.
Wood earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science at Pittsburg State University and his doctorate in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Wood spent his entire academic career at NDSU, joining the faculty in 1981 as assistant professor of political science and eventually rising to department head. He conducted significant applied research on the problem of drinking and driving in North Dakota and, with his wife, Nona Wood, on issues of student rights and discipline. He was best known for his expertise on the subject of domestic terrorism; he was featured in international news media at the time of the Oklahoma City bombing.
He retired from NDSU in 2008 for medical reasons. After retirement, he was an active volunteer in support of the NDSU Press.
Longtime colleague Thomas D. Isern, University Distinguished Professor of history, said, “There is no better example of institutional service and loyalty to NDSU than Dr. Bob Wood.”
Wood was a veteran of the U.S. Army Medical Corps, serving from 1967 to 1970 in Korea, Germany, and Vietnam, where he saw action in combat zones. His military honors included the Korea Defense Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Services Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal and Rifle Marksmanship Medal, along with the Vietnam Service Medal and ribbon with two battle stars.