Richard "Dick" J. Wood

Richard J. Wood passed away on August 1, 2015 in Indianapolis with his wife and children by his side. He was an expert in Japanese philosophical thought, ethics, and aesthetics. In recognition of his life’s work and service in these areas, the Government of Japan awarded him The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, the Japanese equivalent of a knighthood, in 2010.For many years, Richard was responsible for administration of the Japan Study Program of the Great Lakes Colleges Association and the Associated Colleges of the Midwest. He served as a trustee for Southern Methodist University in Dallas, the National Association of Japan-America Societies, and The Japanese-American National Museum. He was the Chairman of the American Friends of International House of Japan and the American President of the Manjiro-Whitfield Commemorative Center for International Exchange. He was Chairman of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission of the United States Government and the U.S. - Japan Cultural and Educational Conference, an agency of the U.S. Department of State.Richard was born in 1937, to Gerald and Jimmie Wood, the first of three sons, in Marlette, Michigan. He graduated high school from Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. After completing his undergraduate work at Duke University, he earned a M.Div. at Union Theological Seminary in New York and became an ordained United Methodist minister. He received his Ph.D. from Yale University in Greek philosophy. In 1966, Richard joined the philosophy faculty at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. During this time at Earlham, he was twice a visiting professor at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan and once led the Studies in Cultural Education (SICE) program in Morioka, Japan. In 1980, he left Earlham to become academic vice president at Whittier College in Whittier, California, where he became a Quaker. He returned to Earlham College as president in 1985 and worked to strengthen the school’s Quaker identity. He became a recorded minister after the manner of Friends during his tenure there. He was one of the founders of Indiana Campus Compact and then on the board between 1992 and 1996. In honor of his work with the ICC, The Richard J. Wood Student Community Commitment Award was created in 1996. After leaving Earlham in 1996, he served as the Dean of the Yale University Divinity School. In 2001, Richard accepted the position of president for the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, an office that gave him the opportunity to travel widely throughout Asia during his five years of service to the foundation. The Richard J. Wood Asian Theologies Endowment was established by the United Board in 2003 to support Asian theological education and understanding. After a brief respite, he became President of Japan Society, New York in 2006 where he promoted to Society’s mission of cultural understanding and exchange until his retirement in 2009. Richard was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and earned Woodrow Wilson and Danforth Fellowships, a Fulbright-Hays Research Study Grant for study in Japan, two GLCA Humanities Grants, and the Japan Foundation Senior Research Fellowship. He received an honorary degree, Doctor of Laws, from Indiana University in 1992, an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Piedmont College in 1998, an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Wabash College in May 2004, and was given the rank and title of Sagamore of the Wabash in 1996 by Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh. In addition to a long and full professional life, Richard was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He was a great friend and mentor to many through the years. His passions included music, especially opera, great conversation, fine food, and new ideas. Richard is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judith Wood, their children, Michael Wood (Betsy) and Kara Wood Harlan (Brent), grandchildren Sarah and Emily Wood, Joseph and Jayne Harlan, and brother, Keith Wood (Nancy). A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, September 21, 2015 at 6:00 pm at the Japan Society of New York, 333 E. 47th Ave., New York, NY 10017, and on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the Stout Meetinghouse, Earlham College, Richmond, IN. Memorial donations in memory of Richard may be made to: The Richard J. Wood Asian Theologies Endowment at the United Board –Donations accepted online http://www.unitedboard.org · The Richard J. Wood Student Community Commitment Award send to: Indiana Campus Compact - 1226 West Michigan Street, Suite 026, Indianapolis, IN 46202 – information: http://indianacampuscompact.org · American Friends Service Committee – online: https://www.afsc.org/give · Earlham College - http://www.earlham.edu/giving/ · Earlham School of Religion - http://www.esr.earlham.edu/support · Yale Divinity School - http://divinity.yale.edu/ · Whittier College - http://www.whittier.edu/giving