Rodger Benton Wood was born in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, on February 2, 1929. His parents were Clinton Webster Wood (born 9 November 1899) and Gladys Evelyn Hippler (born 27 September 1902). He had three younger brothers, Clinton Wood, Jr., John Willis Wood, and James Hancock Wood, who all preceded him in death.

Rodger's father Clinton Wood worked for Phil Wood Industries, Ltd., in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, where he met Rodger's mother Gladys Hippler.

Rodger attended and graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School in Grosse Pointe Farms, Mi, in 1948. He worked various jobs after graduation and then enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1950 - 1954. While stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Champaign, Illinois, Rodger met his future wife Evelyn Jeane Behnamann who was studying for her Masters at the University of Illinois. They married in Rock Island, Illinois, on December 21, 1953.

Rodger had completed his four years in the Air Force, and he then enrolled, under the GI Bill, at Michigan State College (which became Michigan State University) in East Lansing, Michigan, where the newly weds relocated. While studying for his mechanical engineering degree, their first child Christine was born in 1955 and the young family moved into the first family housing unit on campus. Rodger graduated from Michigan State University in March 1957 and received a job with General Motors in Pontiac. The young family moved into a new house, raising three more children. Their second child Randall Rodger (Randy) was born in 1958, Jennifer Jeane in 1963, and Kenneth Glenn in 1966. Rodger and Evelyn lived in this house for thirty years until Evelyn's passing in 1987.

Rodger was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Pontiac, Michigan, for 30 years and served in many capacities. He and Evelyn enjoyed bridge and square dancing.

Rodger retired from General Motors after thirty years in 1987. Evelyn passed away in the same year.

Rodger married his second wife Llani Chadwick in 1989 and moved to Englewood, Florida. He passed away unexpectedly in May 2004.

Rodger left behind daughters Christine Wood (Woods) and Jennifer Wood, sons Randall (Randy) Wood and Kenneth Wood (aka Xavier DuBois), and grandchildren Lorilyn Marie Woods and Evan Reid Wood.