SAMUEL DWIGHT WOODS

Samuel Dwight Woods died on Friday, December 21, 2012, surrounded by his family at Havenwood-Heritage Heights Health Center after several months of declining health. Dwight was born September 14, 1930, in Tyro, KS, as the youngest of Samuel and Hattie Woods' four sons. Dwight enjoyed a small town boyhood in nearby Caney, KS. He carried the local paper on his bicycle and delivered groceries in a Model A truck. After completing Caney High School, he attended the University of Kansas, and in 1955, graduated from its Medical School. He interned in California at Sacramento County Hospital (now UC Davis Hospital). Dwight then served 18 months as a medical officer in the US Navy, stationed in San Diego, CA. In 1958 Dwight returned, with his wife Marilyn and two children, to Kansas City and began surgical training at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, MO. In 1960 the family moved to Rochester, MN, where Dwight spent over three years as a Fellow in surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Following completion of his training and Board exams Dwight became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Woods then joined Don R. Davis, MD, FACS, in the practice of General Surgery in both Kansas City, MO, and Olathe, KS. Professional achievements include: President of Kappa Upsilon chapter of Phi Chi medical fraternity; Chairman, Dept. of Surgery, St. Luke's Hospital; founding member of the Missouri Chapter, American College of Surgeons; President of the Kansas Medical Alumni Association; and contributing member of numerous other professional organizations. In 1995 Dr. Woods retired from the practice of general surgery, and he and his wife Cynthia moved to Peterborough, NH. There he and Maria Bemont, PT, and Barbara Fisher, RN, opened the Wound Healing Center at Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough. He continued there until January 31, 2012. Dr. Woods was a devoted member and past president of the Monadnock Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, and member of Union Congregational Church, UCC. Dwight's lifelong interests included building and flying model aircraft, gardening, woodworking, fishing, camping and travel. He was a longtime supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. As a senior medical student, he served as a doctor at the Philmont National Scout Ranch in New Mexico, and later he returned with his family to volunteer professional services during several summers. He is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Cynthia, and his five children: Steven, of Arizona; Tiffany Love Smith, of Texas; Dennis and wife Kim, of Vermont; Donald and wife Heather, and Thomas and wife Jennifer Shining, of USAF in Germany; as well as their mother Marilyn Woods of Kansas. In addition are stepdaughters Sarah Thorne and husband Tom Howe of Gilmanton, NH; Susan Thorne of Concord, and Alison Thorne and partner Linda Baroncelli of Massachusetts. Dwight enjoyed his 13 grandchildren: Ashley Woods and Jessica Woods Umberger; Brian, Bradley and Braden Woods; Samantha, Macklin, Natalie and Rain Woods; T. Streeter and Lucy Woods; and Phoebe and Peter Howe. Two of Dwight's brothers survive: Stanley C. with his wife Harriette of Houston, TX, and Hugh J. with his wife Joan of Kansas City, MO, as well as Helen Woods, wife of Dwight's deceased brother, George T Woods, and nine nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 1 p.m. at Union Congregational Church/UCC, 33 Concord St., Peterborough, NH. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to: Union Congregational Church/UCC or Monadnock Chapter of Rotary International.