Herbert Charles Wood

Herbert Charles Wood, age 98, of Westwood, MA, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025.

Born in Providence, RI, Herb graduated from Brown University with a chemistry major and mathematics minor in 1951 and began a long and varied career. He worked for Monsanto as a chemical engineer in the plastics division and went on to become the manager of the company’s IBM computer programming team working on one of the world’s first computers. He later served as Manager of Information Systems for the graphics division of Scott Paper Company, then as Chief Operations Officer at Stone Marketing, one of the earliest direct-mail marketing companies. In the later years of his professional life, he worked as an insurance agent with Farm Family Insurance.

After settling in Belchertown in 1952, Herb purchased a lot in an old apple orchard and undertook the remarkable task of building the family home with his former wife, Jan Wood. He cleared the land, laid the foundation by hand with Jan, and spent countless evenings after work bringing the house to life. His determination and craftsmanship impressed even seasoned builders, and the home he created became the heart of his life in Belchertown, where he raised his family and welcomed friends for many years.

Herbert’s dedication to service was a defining thread throughout his life. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from December 1945 to December 1946 achieving the rank of Corporal. Beginning in 1952, he devoted more than six decades to the Belchertown Fire Department, serving as a firefighter, teaching essential firefighting skills, and later—after his retirement—developing a computer program that provided directions to more than 10,000 local addresses, long before the era of Google Maps. Herbert and Jan, also served as youth group leaders for six years, and he generously offered his time and wisdom to multiple committees at the Belchertown Congregational Church.

At age 89, Herbert moved to Fox Hill Village in Westwood to be closer to family. There, he delighted in making new friends, sharing stories, and becoming an active member of The Dover Church. In his later years he became affectionately known as “Grandpa” to many— a gracious, funny, and wise presence whose warmth drew people together.

Herb's favorite place in the world was his beloved red house in Pocasset, MA on Cape Cod. There he kept busy with renovation projects, tending his rose garden, walking the one-mile island loop along the water, and sitting on the porch watching boat traffic. He brought the whole family together there every summer creating a lifetime of cherished memories. Herbert is survived by his daughters, Beth Karlson (Steve Karlson) of Dover, MA and Cindy Kerr (David Kerr) of Scarborough, ME. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Jonathan, Christopher, and Rebecca Karlson; Kristin (Gil Brady Hagovsky), Brian (Megan Brewster), and Jamie Kerr. Herb leaves behind newborn twin great-grandsons—Caleb and Elliot Kerr —who brought him immense joy in the last months of his life.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Eleanor Bradbury and Dorothy Hamblett; his brother, Albert Wood; and his son, Steven Wood.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 21, at 3:00 p.m. at The Dover Church, 17 Springdale Avenue, Dover, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Belchertown Firefighters Association, P.O. Box 1043, Belchertown, MA 01007, or to The Dover Church, 17 Springdale Avenue, Dover, MA 02030.

To share a memory or to send a note of condolence to his family, visit www.eatonfuneralhomes.com