DATE: Monday, November 17, 1997             TAG: 9711170026

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   53 lines

RICHARD F. WOOD SR.

Richard F. Wood Sr., 85, died Nov. 15, 1997. Mr. Wood, known as ``Dick'' to his friends, was born in Colon, Panama, in 1912. He was the son of Lillian Hamilton Wood and Emory Burns Wood.

After graduating from Maury High School in Norfolk, Mr. Wood returned to Panama. There he enjoyed a successful career with Pan American Airways in Central and South America before moving to Portsmouth in 1941 where he lived until his death. Upon arriving in Portsmouth with his new wife, Dona, Mr. Wood joined The Portsmouth Star, and was general manager at the time the paper was acquired in the 1950s by Landmark Communications Inc. and what is now The Virginian-Pilot. He stayed with The Pilot until his retirement in 1977 as manager of Portsmouth Operations. Mr. Wood, a member of Monumental Methodist Church, was a community leader throughout his career and retirement, and was involved with numerous civic and community organizations. He was a past president and 57-year member of the Portsmouth Rotary Club, and was named a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow in August of 1984. He was past presidentand lifetime member of Elizabeth Manor Golf and Country Club, and for many yearsserved as chairman of the popular Eastern Amateur Golf Tournament, held annuallyat the Elizabeth Manor golf course. His love and support of amateur and youth golf was evidenced by the growth in prestige and popularity of the Eastern Amateur tournament, and the world class players who played regularly in the tournament during the years it was under his guidance. He was past president of the Portsmouth Sports Club, one of the inaugural commissioners of The Eastern Virginia Medical Authority, and was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce. He served as director of American National Bank and Cenit Bank, and received numerous awards and honors from civilian and military commissions and agencies. He was a tireless advocate for the city of Portsmouth and worked continuously toward regional cooperation that would result in better lives for all of Hampton Roads' residents. He was honored in 1961, being named the ``First Citizen'' of the City of Portsmouth.

Mr. Wood is survived by his wife, Dona Eaton Wood; two sons, Richard F. Wood Jr. and his wife, Sandra Byrum Wood, of Portsmouth, and Thomas E. Wood and his wife, Corinne Landry Wood, of Norfolk; four grandchildren, Richard F. Wood III of Portsmouth, Michael E. Wood of Portsmouth, Christopher D. Wood of Portsmouth and Jennifer M. Wood of Norfolk. He was predeceased by his youngest son, Donn H. Wood of New York.

A graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. in the Olive Branch cemetery in Portsmouth on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The family will receive friends at 406 Dinwiddie St. in Portsmouth from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 18. The family has suggested in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Hampton Roads Chapter, (NU)20 The Koger Center, Suite 233, Norfolk, Va. 23502. Foster Funeral Home of Portsmouth is handling arrangements. ILLUSTRATION: Photo KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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