March 28, 1926 – March 3, 2026

James Robert Greenwood, known to all as “Bob,” passed away on March 3, 2026.
Bob was born on March 28, 1926, in Versailles, Ohio, to John Charles Greenwood and Ruth Marie Brown. Even before he began kindergarten, Bob’s curiosity and love of learning were evident—he would sit beneath a classroom window, listening intently to the books being read inside. When he finally entered school, it wasn’t immediately recognized that he could “read”—in truth, he had memorized the stories he had heard. In time, he did learn to read and continued his education, attending part of high school in Columbus, Ohio.
At the age of 15, Bob left school and moved with his family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He would later complete his GED following his service in the Army Air Corps. Though initially turned away due to color blindness, Bob went on to serve as a teletype operator—a vital communications role responsible for transmitting flight information, weather reports, and other essential messages.
In 1949, Bob married Betty Jean Thomas. The couple began their life together in Omaha, Nebraska, where Bob worked on the Atlas missile program for two years. In 1969, they moved to the Tahoe area, which became their long-term home.
Bob dedicated 35 years of his career to Sierra Pacific Power Company, where he built not only a profession but also lifelong friendships.
He was preceded in death by his sons, James Greenwood and Robert Greenwood; his sisters and brother, Diane Greenwood, Norma “Tess” Greenwood and Thomas Greenwood; and his parents. He is survived by his grandchildren Ashley Connor and Erik Greenwood. His great grandchildren Ava and Jace Connor.
Bob was known for his remarkable photographic memory. He could recite the Gettysburg Address and name every U.S. president from his birth to the present day. A lover of American history, he also had a sharp wit and an engaging sense of humor that made time spent with him unforgettable.
When asked the secret to his long life, Bob would often reply with a smile: “clean living and dirty thoughts.”
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.