Wood
Richard E. Wood
November 16, 1927
December 11, 2022
Richard Eugene Wood (Dick) was born in East Orange, New Jersey, to Louise Caroline Gugelman and Willis Eugene Wood. At the age of 95, he died peacefully at home in Monument, Co, on December 11, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 66 years, Laila Z Wood, and his brother Frederick. Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Carolyn Meyers, daughter Randi (Scott), son Dana (Jennie), daughter Mia (Steve), son Stian (Pam), daughter Kaia (Roy), son Jarle (Mary), fourteen grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren.
Following three years in the Navy, Dick married Laila, the love of his life, in 1950. In the years that followed, Dick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and philosophy at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa, and a Master of Arts degree in personnel administration at Columbia University. He worked at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY; Denver University in Denver, Co; and Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Co. He served as Director of Admissions at Colorado College from 1961-1991. Known to several decades of CC alumni as "the man who made it all possible," Dick received the Colorado College Riley Award in 1997 for his significant role in creating the Colorado College of the latter part of the 20th century. He combined a demand for excellence with vision and compassion to build an eclectic student body. Most alumni who were admitted during Dick's tenure have a favorite Dick Wood story and many remember him as "the man who changed my life." Dick was named Executive of the Year in 1969 by the National Secretaries Association (International). Over his career, he served as President of the Rocky Mountain Association of College Admission Counselors; on the executive Board of the Colorado Council on High School-College Relations; on the Boettcher Foundation Selection Committee; as Chairman of the Selection Committee of the Officers Wives Club at the Air Force Academy; as President of the Friends of the Security Public Library, and as President of the South Security PTO. Active in community affairs, he worked with numerous community organizations including Boy Scouts of America and the Martin Luther King Memorial Fund.
Dick had a lifelong love of sailing and sailed on the Chesapeake Bay as well as nearly every reservoir in Colorado. Children and grandchildren enjoyed many hours with their father and grandfather on his beautiful boat, The Laila Zee. Dick and Laila loved sailing together and anchoring under the stars at Pueblo Reservoir. Dick often played the piano under the affectionate nickname of "Woody," and in his later years developed a passion for playing the recorder. At the time of his death, he had written and/or arranged over 200 songs, all of which he shared with the greater Colorado recorder community. He was dearly loved by recorder players statewide. Dick was also a talented woodworker, building timeless handcrafted pieces of furniture for family members.
Dick's greatest gift was his warm and loving nature as well as his never-ending sense of humor. He will be missed by so many and remembered always.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Dick Woods - he made it all possible, took a chance, and remains a beloved memory of my entry and a first Thanksgiving at CC with his family, and at the time, small, growing children. His wise choices created a special cohort of a class of students that still continue to amaze and surprise after so many decades. Thank you Dick Woods for your peace, love and generosity that went so beyond grades, board scores and bell curves and into the special uniqueness of each student. My sympathies to your family and to all those who were touched by your light. Good sailing in the beyond.
Elizabeth Akiya Chestnut, CC l966
School
February 5, 2023
Apparently, many more than just me and some classmates from my time, called him "the man who made it all possible," and "the man who changed my life." Both descriptions fit me. As a fellow ex-swabbie, he secretly arranged for me to have a single room in the freshman dorm. He knew that I had about 50 roomies aboard ship. He was a wonderful man with a keen, irreverent sense of humor. Many of us would not have made it without him. I can't say enough about him.
James Martin, CC '69
School
February 3, 2023
Karen Wilson
January 29, 2023
As one can tell by Dick was a Renaissance Man. As a rookie teacher in Widefield I was graced with the friendship of Dick and Laila and their remarkable sons and daughters. A 'woodworker' in fact, and in his life's work he has left so many of us richer in skills, memories and life.
John Dawicki Cunningham
School
December 25, 2022
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more