Edward Roberts "Bob" Wood

1928 - 2016

Edward Roberts "Bob" Wood
September 18, 1928 ~ January 22, 2016
Monterey, CA
Edward Roberts "Bob" Wood, resident of Monterey, California, died peacefully at age 87 on Jan. 22, 2016. His beloved wife, Charlotte Burns Wood was at his side. Bob was born Sept. 18, 1928 to Frederic Conger Wood and Emma Trend Wood in New York City. He graduated from St. George's School, Newport, RI in 1946 and received a BS degree in Civil Engineering from Cornell University in 1951. He served in the U.S. Air Force (Korean War) 1951-53 as an Air Installations Officer. Bobs returned to take a Master's Degree in Engineering Mechanics at Yale University in 1955, and after nine years in industry, primarily at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT, returned to Yale and completed a Doctor of Engineering Degree in 1966.
Upon completing his Ph.D, Bobs was appointed Associate Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech. Four years later, he returned to industry, working first for Rochester Applied Science Associates, and later for Lockheed-California in Burbank, CA. From 1975-1985, Dr. Wood managed the Aeromechanics Section of Hughes Helicopters Inc., now Boeing. During this period he and his group played a major role in the development of the U.S. Army's "Apache" attack helicopter, especially its unusually low vibration levels.
In 1985, Dr. Wood returned to academia, initially as Head of Aerospace Engineering at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. In 1988 he came to the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA as Professor and Department Chair, where he taught and directed research until his retirement. During his career he authored over 120 papers and reports. At NPS he was remembered for mentoring countless students through their theses, resulting in awards for the students and for NPS. They awarded him their first 'Wayne Meyer Award for Excellence in Systems Engineering". He has been active in many professional societies and is an Honorary Fellow of the American Helicopter Society.
Bob Wood developed a passion for aircraft from his teenage years when he was an airplane spotter during World War II in CT. From his Air Force years and continuing throughout his professional life in academia and industry, his love of aircraft, especially helicopters, was an ongoing source of joy. He had the satisfaction of knowing that his work played an important role in improving the stability and safety of helicopters today.
While living in Pacific Grove, and Monterey for the past twenty eight years, Bob Wood has been active in The Pacific Grove Rotary, Sons in Retirement (SIR),The Pebble Beach Group and sang in the choir of the First Presbyterian Church, Monterey with his wife, Cheri.
He is survived by his first wife, Louise Peck Wood, of West Hills, CA and his second wife, Charlotte Burns Wood of Monterey as well as a sister, Meredith Wood Einaudi of Stanford, CA. He also leaves two daughters, Katharine Wood Graves of Woodland Hills, CA and Sharon Wood Kaak of Yorba Linda, CA in addition to two sons, Stuart Lathrop Wood of West Hills, CA and Terence Canfield Wood of Simi Valley, CA. A third son, Edward Roberts Wood Jr. predeceased him. He is also survived by two stepchildren: Patrick Burns of Cave Junction, OR and Heather Burns of San Luis Obispo, CA. Bob Wood was also blessed with fifteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
In accordance with his wishes, there will be no memorial service. His ashes will be interred in the Memory Garden of Christ Church, Greenwich, CT alongside his brother, Frederic Conger Wood Junior and Bob's two parents.


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