Richard (Dick) D. Wood Jr., former president and CEO of Wawa, died Friday, the company announced. He was 88. In a statement on Wood’s passing, Wawa officials noted that, for 55 years, Wood had been “the visionary and driving force behind Wawa’s business model, and a pillar of servant l eadership, values and culture at Wawa.” “His impact will forever be felt by generations of Wawa associates, family members, customers, business partners and community organizations,” Wawa officials said in a statement on Wood’s passing. “He will be eternally recognized as a beloved treasure to the Company.” As detailed by Wawa, Wood was born on March 4, 1938 in Philadelphia. He attended St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire and received his B.S. from the University of Virginia and his LLB from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He was married to Jeanette (Jean) Wood, and they had two children, Lisa and Richard. Jean predeceased Dick in 2025 and was a cherished member of the extended Wawa family and, for decades, was a warm and familiar presence alongside Dick, supporting him and engaging with Wawa associates at many company, cultural and industry events, Wawa said in a statement. Dick Wood began his career at Wawa in 1970 as the company’s first General Counsel, the company said in a statement, at the encouragement of Grahame Wood, his father’s cousin and the founder of the first Wawa Food Market. He went on to lead Wawa for more than five decades as president, CEO and chairman. “Dick Wood was our true Lead Goose who was the guiding heart and soul of the company,” said Chris Gheysens, Wawa’s Chairman and CEO. “He is the reason why Wawa is the company we are today and why we enjoy so much share of heart from our customers and dedication from our associates. Dick had a profound approach to innovation and business that was truly centered on people, and it’s a philosophy we will all work to carry forward. I am eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside and learn lessons from Dick. He will forever live on at Wawa in all our hearts.” Wawa officials said that Wood proudly carried on a legacy of innovation and loyalty that traces back to his great-grandfather, George Wood, who opened the Wawa Dairy in 1902. George’s grandson Grahame Wood opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 and later brought Dick into the family business. Dick became President in 1977, CEO in 1980 and in 1982 he became Chairman and CEO. He remained Chairman and CEO until his retirement in 2004, after which he remained Chairman of the Board of Directors. In 2020, upon reaching his 50th anniversary at Wawa, Dick was appointed Chairman Emeritus. Also, Wawa officials said Wood had “a remarkable impact on the community and he expanded and grew his family tradition of philanthropy.” Among those causes, Wawa said, was “a deep commitment to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,” which through his leadership, now includes The Richard D. Wood Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, the Richard D. Wood Jr. and Jeanette A. Wood Endowed Chair in Pediatric Diagnostic Medicine, and the Wawa Volunteer Services including the Wawa Coffee Care Cart, that provides patients and families with a cold beverage or hot cup of coffee and comfort while getting care at the hospital. Dick was often seen pushing the Coffee Cart through the halls of CHOP to serve patients and families at their bedside, Wawa said. “Dick Wood was unlike any other CEO I’ve ever encountered. He had a special mix of heart, compassion, empathy and humility that made him a true believer and practitioner of servant leadership. With Dick, people always came first, never him,” said Howard Stoeckel, former Vice Chairperson and former President CEO, Wawa in a statement. “At Wawa, we have a set of core values that we live by, and Dick is the one who brought them to life and instilled them into our culture. The lessons he taught all of us at Wawa to fly together to reach new heights are alive and well and will be for many years to come.” In addition to CHOP, Wawa said Wood was also a strong supporter of Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida, where he championed ways to allow everyone to experience the beauty of the gardens. For those wishing to honor Dick’s legacy, donations are recommended to: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to the Richard D. Wood, Jr. Center for FetalDiagnosis and Treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia by clicking here Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida by clicking here. Visit www.wawa.com/tribute to learn more about Dick’s legacy. On Monday July 20, coffee will be free in all Wawa stores, officials said, as a way to honor Dick Wood and toast his legacy including customers, associates and communities across our chain. ...read more read less