Robert Clark Wood

Robert Clark Wood
Robert Clark Wood died in his home, Saturday, October 29. Born in Allentown on May 29, 1944, he was the second son of Milton W. (Scotty) Wood and June Elizabeth (Betty) Bear Wood. At his side was his wife, Ilene, with whom he shared six years of perfect love and mutual admiration. He was predeceased by his wife, Sara Kay Steinberg, whom he also loved dearly. Bob spent his childhood years in Alburtis and attended East Penn schools. He was a 1962 graduate of Emmaus High School, where he was a varsity football fullback, captain of the swimming team, and Mayor of Emmaus for a Day. He was proud, too, to be a Boy Scout and that as a child he appeared on the Howdy Doody Show. Bob also attended The Bullis School in Silver Springs, MD. In 1967, he graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Hotel Management. Bob played football at Cornell, was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and held the prestigious position of Executive Chef of Hotel Ezra Cornell, the schools annual showcase of hotel management and culinary excellence. Following his years at Cornell, Bob joined the family business, Wood Food Service, as a cook at Allentown College (now DeSales University). He held various line and management positions within the company, becoming Executive Vice President in 1974, president in 1978, and Chairman in 1997. When Wood Dining Services was purchased by Sodexo in 2001, he served as Executive Vice President for Client Development until his retirement in 2009. He also owned, in partnership with his late friend, Tom Heeps, The Ritz, located in the Allentown Fairgrounds and famous for its Butter Brickle Ice Cream--a treat he enjoyed through his last days. Though known more for his leadership role in food service management, Bob was an accomplished and creative cook, and took great pride in planning, and often personally preparing, memorable events for friends, family and his beloved charitable organizations. Bob leaves a rich legacy of community service and advocacy. While he served on the boards, and as campaign chairman, and honorary events chair for more organizations than is practical to list, Bobs shining strength was his desire and ability to bring together people to meet challenges, solve problems and recognize opportunities to improve his community. Among those organizations with whom he was proud to be associated are: The Trexler Trust, Allentown Art Museum, Muhlenberg College Board of Trustees, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Lehigh County Agriculture Society (The Allentown Fair), The Allentown YMCA-YWCA, Good Shepherd Presidents Advisory Board, Pennsylvania Special Olympics, Cystic Fibrosis Tennis Tournament, The Community Foundation, and many more. Survivors: His survivors include his wife, Ilene Hochberg Wood; his stepmother, Evelyn S. Wood; sons, Damian Cook Wood and his fiancee, Laila Khoury, and Jonas Michael Wood, and his fiancee, Jennifer Sayuk; daughters, Dana Lehrer Meltzer, wife of Joshua, of Maple Glen, and Alison Lehrer of Los Angeles, CA; brothers, Michael Bear Wood of Allentown, and Scott Lee Wood of Cape Town, South Africa; sisters, Patricia Wood Beldon, wife of Sanford, of Emmaus, and Judith Wood Sheftel, wife of Larrie, of Allentown, and Maria Asuncion Sole Ros, wife of Juan Faura, of Capellades, Spain; granddaughters, Sara Meltzer and Elana Meltzer; nephews, Andrew Sheftel, Jordan Sheftel, and Jonathan Sheftel; brother-in-law, Robert Steinberg and wife, Linda. Beloved cousins and many, many friends. Services: Will be held Wednesday at Muhlenberg College; time, location, and calling hours will be announced in tomorrows Morning Call. Contributions: Donations may be made in Bobs name to: The Ilene and Bob Wood Fund at the Community Foundation; United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley; Allentown Art Museum; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley; or an organization of your choice; or volunteer at a soup kitchen, shelter, or other organization in need of your help.