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| Stuart Wood, Jr
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| NO. 17620 • 3 February 1929 – 17 June 1997 |
Died 17 June 1997 in Lake Wylie, SC.
Cremated, ashes scattered in the Atlantic Ocean
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STUART WOOD, JR., was born at Ft. Bragg, NC, on his father's birthday. He
traveled with his father, Stuart '27, and mother Mary, as they were posted from
Ft. Bragg to Hawaii, where a brother (ex-'56) joined the family, before
the family went on to move to various other military stations.
As a youngster, a potential military career was nearly cut short at Ft.
Sill when a dud exploded, shattering five-year old Stuart's right arm.
His arm was shortened by an inch, with extensive ligament damage, creating a
lifelong problem in maintaining a proper saluting posture with his right hand.
Even with his injured arm, Stuart was presented with the opportunity to attend
West Point, in part as a result of his father being a Japanese POW during WW
II. He chose to do so, and took a short sojourn from Fishburne Military School
to attend Sullies to prepare for the entrance exam. He was successful, and
entered West Point with the Class of ‘50 in 1946.
Academics at West Point were challenging, but Stu, as he was known,
managed to graduate in the top third of his class. While a cadet, he was a four-year
member of the swim team, played lacrosse, was on the track team, and was in the
100th Night Show.
Stu's first assignment was with a tank battalion in Germany. After two
years, he transfered to the Corps of Engineers, his desired branch. A year's
service as aide-de-camp in Stuttgart brought him back to Ft. Bragg and
the 82d Airborne Division, where he earned his airborne wings before heading
for Korea. Serving two years combined as a company commander in the 82d
Division in Korea was among the top assignments of Stu’s career.
Upon return stateside, Stu met
the love of his life. Four months after reporting to Ft. Belvoir, he married
Patricia Meredith, whom he had met at Ft. Bragg. They lived and loved for 40
years with four great children to complete their family.
Advance coursework led to Stu earning a masters degree at Texas
A&M, where his first child was
born. This was followed by a three-year tour in Alaska, where Stu was
able to pursue several of his favorite pastimes - hunting, fishing, bowling,
and skiing. A second child joined the family in Alaska. His next assignment
brought the family back to Ft. Bragg, XVIII Airborne Corps, for two years,
where a third child joined the family at Ft. Bragg before they headed overseas
to Europe for three years. Working with NATO construction for that tour was
very satisfying for Stu. His fourth child joined the family in Heidelberg,
Germany.
Upon returning stateside once again, he brought the family to Colorado,
where Stu taught civil engineering to USAF cadets. The family loved that
assignment, and anchored in Colorado Springs.
Stu had two tours in southeast Asia, one as Commander, 27th Engineer
Battalion, and the other as Chief of Operations, 18th Engineer Brigade. Upon
his return to the U.S., Stu joined his family in Colorado Springs, where he
became the NORAD Engineer, monitoring the expansion of the underground
headquarters at Cheyenne Mountain. He became more closely involved when he was
assigned as the Area Engineer responsible for the actual construction of that
project.
In addition to his military attributes, Stu was a gregarious host. One
was always welcomed by his "bear hug" greeting. While stationed at the Air Force Academy,
Stu and Pat formed a gourmet club. Friends and classmates enjoyed many
memorable evenings enhanced by his culinary efforts. While in Viet Nam, he
hosted numerous dinner parties for fellow officers in his quarters. On one such
occasion, a classmate visited him to renew their friendship, catch up on
families and friends, and enjoy Stu’s cooking.
Unfortunately, the enemy began shelling the compound. Dinner and drinks
continued, however, while both huddled under Stu’s trailer.
Stu and
Pat sailed with friends, classmates, and relatives in many parts of the world.
He was at home in the galley, as well as on deck. Once, when he was short of butter for an evening meal
he was preparing, Stu swam to a near-by
anchored cruise. He got the butter and
swam the side stroke back-holding the prize high-and-dry to
the cheers of the cruiseship passengers and the delight of the shipmates.
Retirement in 1975 meant changing the color of the clothes he wore to
work, as Stu moved immediatelv into the construction field. Construction took
him all over the west before finally settling him in North Carolina. After nine
years of following large-scale construction, Stu moved to a community
college where he was a professor heading the Civil Engineering and Surveying
Department. He enjoyed working with young people tremendously before his health
forced his retirement in 1994. Back fusion, a knee replacement, and prostate
and bone cancer rather limited his activities.
His military service was, recognized with numerous awards and
decorations, including two Legions of Merit, a Bronze Star, a Meritorious
Service Medal, Air Medals, Army and Air Force Commendation Medals, and the
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. During
his limited spare time, he authored two civil engineering texts, and edited his
father’s memoirs of Japanese prison camp for publication.
Besides writing, Stu’s activities took him from SCUBA diving and sailing
to golf and tennis, while his health still enabled him to participate. As a
sideline, he oversaw the construction of numerous personal real estate
projects.
After fighting cancer for more than four years, Stu - ever the officer
and gentleman - joined his father and brother in the Long Gray Line.
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USMA 1950