Rash's Surname Index
Notes for David Wetherill WOOD
David W. Wood, 77, formerly of Devon, a retired pediatrician, researcher and teacher, died of cancer Wednesday at Beaumont at Bryn Mawr, a continuing-care facility.
Dr. Wood was the grandson of the founder of Wawa Dairies and the brother of the founder of the Wawa convenience stores, but he devoted his life to medicine and conservation and never took part in the business.
He graduated from St. George's School in Newport, R.I., then interrupted his studies at the University of Pennsylvania and entered the Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
An intelligence officer for the 237th Engineer Combat Battalion, Capt. Wood took part in the Normandy Landing and the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry for repairing a field telephone line while under artillery attack, and also earned two unit citations.
After the war, Dr. Wood earned a medical degree and practiced pediatrics in Media for 10 years, then returned to the Medical School at Penn to study pediatric allergy and clinical immunology.
Besides establishing an allergy practice, Dr. Wood conducted clinical research in the use of Isuprel for control of childhood asthma.
The research, done at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with Dr. John Downes, former anesthesiologist-in-chief, was instrumental in saving lives of many children ill with asthma, said Dr. Lillian Kravis, a colleague.
Dr. Wood was on the staff at Children's and at Lankenau Hospital for 36 years. He taught at Penn's Medical School for 37 years, retiring as associate clinical professor of pediatrics. In recent years, he also practiced in Ardmore and Bala Cynwyd.
Active in conservation, Dr. Wood was a former president of the Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association and of the Friends of Jenkins Arboretum.
He was a member and honorary surgeon of the First City Troop and former chairman of the Brandywine Battlefield Commission. Formerly, he was a member of the Philadelphia Milk Commission and the Chester Heights Planning Commission, and sat on the boards of the Delaware County Visiting Nurse Association and Elwyn Institutes.
A member of the Pohoqualine Fishing Club in McMichaels, he enjoyed fly fishing for salmon and trout. He belonged to the Chevaliers de Tastevin, and often prepared gourmet dinners - with wine and humorous toasts - for friends and family.
He belonged to the Merion Cricket Club, where he liked to play tennis and socialize.
He is survived by his second wife, Elizabeth McGee Wood; sons, David W. Jr. and Henry D.; two grandchildren; and two sisters.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 16 at the chapel at St. David's Episcopal Church, 763 Valley Forge Rd., Wayne.
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