David Nelson Woods

Dave was born on June 18, 1936, in Nashua, New Hampshire, and served in both the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and the U.S. Army. He attended the University of New Hampshire, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and graduated with a degree in business administration. Dave enjoyed a long career in sales beginning in New York City and then Chicago, Omaha, and Minneapolis, before permanently settling in Evanston. He used to brag that he had a salesman's blood: B Positive.

Dave met his future wife Alma Lockwood Wright (another New Hampshire native and recent UNH graduate also living in Chicago) on a date arranged by mutual friends. They were married in Claremont, NH in 1963, and remained devoted until Alma’s death in 2020. Dave is survived by his sons, Mark Woods of Evanston and Matthew Woods (Rick Dupre) of St. Paul, MN; his sister-in-law, Carol Hannaford (Loren Scherbak); his brother-in-law, Norman (Linda) Wright Jr.; his six grandchildren: Brittany, Alexandra, Tyler, Olivia, Dillon and Harper; numerous and cherished nieces & nephews; and countless friends, neighbors, and former colleagues.

In Dave’s earlier years, he was a skilled roller skater, trombone player, dancer, and Corvair owner. Dave’s extroversion and friendliness led him to become the block club organizer on Noyes Street, a scoutmaster for his sons’ Boy Scout Troop 12, a guide for many kids who needed a supportive adult, and a mentor for new business owners with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). He was also a Freemason and served as Worshipful Master of Evans Lodge in Evanston. Dave and Alma were members of the Unitarian Church of Evanston since 1967. His final profession prior to his retirement was as a franchisee owner of two Subway stores in Evanston and Highwood, IL. Dave was a master cribbage player and punster who brought joy and laughter into every situation.

Dave is preceded in death by his wife, Alma; his parents, Adelbert Nelson Woods, Edna Welch Woods, and Marilyn Warren Woods; and his in-laws, Doris Stone Lockwood Wright and Norman Arthur Wright Sr.

Dave’s family wishes to express gratitude to the caring staff at Westminster Place, where he resided until his death.

A celebration of Dave's life will take place Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 1:00 pm at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201.

If you wish to honor Dave's memory, the family would appreciate donations to one of the following organizations: Y.O.U. (Youth and Opportunity United); Unitarian Church of Evanston; Evanston 4th of July Association; SCORE Chicago; or Northeast Illinois Council (Scouts). Please see the links below.