Microsoft did NOT do away with the separate help file. There's always been
local help in every version of Word. Word 2007 is no different. After
pressing F1, click the bottom right of the help window where it says
"Connected to Office Online" and select "Show content only from this
computer".
The question in this case, however, is whether Help is working on Rod's
computer. If not, then I suggest that he do a repair (Office button - Word
Options - Resources tab - Diagnose).