Richard Lawrence Wood

Richard Lawrence Wood was born to William L. and Lillian (Doyle) Wood on May 24, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Brooklyn and Queens among many extended family members. During World War II, Richard’s family moved to Wilmette, IL. At the age of 14, he began caddying at Indian Hill Country Club and applied his extraordinary work ethic to this activity. Often carrying two bags for two rounds, Richard gained the admiration of club member Gordon Ewen who encouraged him to attend college and recommended him for the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholarship for caddies. Receiving the Evans Scholarship allowed Richard to attend Northwestern University from which he received a BA in 1951 and an MBA through their executive education program. Richard credited Mr. Ewen for changing his life and remained deeply grateful to him and the Evans Scholars Foundation.

During the Korean War, Richard proudly served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. In 1954, he entered the management training program at the First National Bank of Chicago, joining the systems group where he led projects including the installation of the bank’s first computer. One of his proudest efforts was working to increase diversity among managers in the bank’s operations staff. During his 35-year career at First Chicago, Richard was known for his commitment to excellence. He retired in 1989 as Senior Vice President.

In 1956, Richard married Andrée Annette Robitaille, the love of his life. The couple settled in Barrington, IL where they raised their five children and created many treasured memories for their family. Richard was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and shared many self-taught skills with his family. His children fondly remember Richard leading them in Saturday chores, building campfires and planting trees, hiking, rafting, and ice skating in a nearby forest preserve, and teaching them to swim, ski, and play golf and tennis. Richard was deeply proud of, and beloved by, his 16 grandchildren who will remember his unfailing encouragement, bright smile, love of opera, tennis, and cooking, and wisdom.

In 1990, Richard and Andrée retired to Sarasota, FL, where they made dear friends who provided deeply valued companionship and support to Richard after Andrée’s death in 2017.

Richard was kind, humble, hardworking, and a lifelong learner. He took great interest in others and always put himself last. He will be deeply missed.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, William Lawrence Wood and Lillian Doyle Wood and his wife Andrée Robitaille Wood. He is survived by his sister Lynn Wood Wolfington, his sister-in-law Elise Robitaille Delaney, his children Mary Molo (Steven), Matthew Wood (Linda), Melissa Wood, Elizabeth Wesel, and John Wood (Christy Vavloukis), his grandchildren John Alexander, Madeline, Julia and Allison Molo, Audrey, Benjamin (Sarah), Oliver and Rebecca Wood, Noel, Hallie and Corey Irion, Emma and Jordan Wesel, George, Jane and Charles Wood, and dearly loved extended family.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Evans Scholars Foundation, 2501 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026.