Earl Freudenberg: Remembering Bobby Wood

  • Thursday, January 12, 2023
Rep. Bobby Wood presents Americanism award to Earl Freudenberg. Also shown are Rev. J.O. Stoner and John Popham.
Rep. Bobby Wood presents Americanism award to Earl Freudenberg. Also shown are Rev. J.O. Stoner and John Popham.

Former State Rep. Bobby Wood served for 28 years in the Tennessee House of Representatives.  Rep. Wood passed away on Thursday after battling cancer. 

Rep. Wood was always open for interviews and never dodged this reporter.  I first met him when he was elected to the General Assembly in 1976 and invited him to be a guest on WDOD’s Sunday morning Sound Off. 

Rep. Wood wasn’t a stranger to the audience appearing on the show 40 times.  I invited him back repeatedly because he answered listeners’ questions and concerns about their state government. He always returned his phone calls and wasn’t too busy to talk with his constituents from Nashville.

In 1985, Rep. Wood and several of his friends gave me the “American Legion Post 14 Americanism Award.”  It should have been Mr. Wood being recognized for his patriotism and not me. 

It’s no wonder Bobby Wood was given the name “The Conscious of the Legislature.”  He was a man of integrity and a devout Christian. 

Rep. Wood wasn’t ashamed to share his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. One of the lawmaker’s favorite Bible verses was Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ…” 

Our state, county and city are a better place to live because Bobby Wood not just professed but lived his Christianity every day.  

Earl Freudenberg

Retired Chattanooga Broadcaster

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