Photograph by Robert Scheer
Citizen of the Year Dick Wood enjoys piano playing as a hobby.
By Michelle Gabriel
It's easy to see why Dick Wood has been named the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce's 1995 Citizen of the Year. Personable, affable, dedicated and involved, Wood easily fits the chamber's criteria for community involvement and commitment.
"I like people," says Wood, who along with Betsy Wood, his wife of 45 years, is a registered investment adviser at Wood & Associates in Saratoga. "It's as simple as that. I enjoy doing things to help others wherever and whenever I can."
Wood has spent nearly a lifetime putting his words into action. An active member of the Sunnyvale Rotary from 1956 to 1990, and the Saratoga Rotary since then, Wood held various positions in both Rotary clubs, including serving as president of the Sunnyvale Rotary in 1969 and the Saratoga Rotary in 1995.
As a member of the Saratoga Rotary, Wood worked on their Endowment Fund Investment Committee and was director of Club Services and Youth Services.
"I am a strong believer that volunteerism is the cornerstone of our society," he says. He emphasizes the importance of what he describes as the three key elements of volunteering, "being involved, feeling involved and staying involved."
That apparently is his motto even beyond Rotary. Wood participated in Saratoga's Fire House Study, an ad-hoc group working with the Saratoga Fire Department to determine a new location for the fire station, and is involved with the Saratoga Business Development Committee, which recently expanded the Farmers' Market concept from a one-day event in the Village to Market Days throughout Saratoga.
Wood also served as a liaison with the Saratoga Educational Foundation, where he helped organize career days at Lynbrook High School. Since 1989, he and his wife have been involved in the planning and execution of the annual Saratoga parade.
"Dick is one of those guys who will never turn you down when you ask him for some of his time to do something to help others," says Preston Wisner, CEO of Our Lady of Fatima Villa in Saratoga, who has worked with Wood on various committees. "He will always work you into his busy schedule."
It's that willingness to take the time to listen and to give of himself that Betsy says is an integral part of her husband's personality.
"Dick brings a balance to whatever he is doing, whether it is work or organizational activities," she says. "He always looks at both sides and tries to be very fair with any decision being considered."
Even at the Saratoga Oaks town houses where they live, Wood takes involvement seriously. He works with the homeowners' association in both governmental and control aspects of the operation and is involved in helping to organize recreational activities. He has chaired the tennis committee and has often played the piano for the residents during casual social mixers.
In fact, Wood can often be found playing some of his favorite tunes, such as "Blue Moon," "Moon Glow," and "I'm In The Mood For Love," at local convalescent hospitals, retirement homes, community mixers and in the clubhouse at Saratoga Oaks.
"I play for relaxation and for enjoyment," says Wood, who was trained at an early age in classical music before turning to jazz and improvisation. "I frequently played the piano at high school dances and throughout college."
Born and raised in Detroit, Mich., Wood graduated from Western Michigan College of Education (now Michigan University), where he and Betsy met in what Wood describes as a "bugology" class. After receiving his master's degree in education from Stanford University in 1951, Wood and Betsy moved to Madera before settling in Santa Clara Valley. They lived in Cupertino for 32 years and moved to Saratoga in 1984. They have two grown children--a son, Robert, and a daughter, Sharon.
Wood was employed by the Fremont Union High School District from 1953 to 1979 and Betsy taught at San Jose City College. But the Woods made a career change in the late 1970s to enter the field of investment planning services. They formed a partnership with two other investment planners, eventually establishing their own firm of Wood and Associates in 1984.
Betsy says her husband brings to his business relationships the same concern for the welfare of others that he displays in community volunteer work.
"He works well with people of all ages," she says. "He's a good listener, always weighs both sides of a situation before making a decision and is basically a very caring individual."
While he has no immediate plans to retire, Wood says he would not be opposed to gradually cutting back on his busy schedule to have more time for his music and tennis game. "However, right now I'm very happy doing what I'm doing."
Wood will be honored at a dinner hosted by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce on June 20 at the Saratoga Country Club. The public is invited to attend. For information, call the chamber at 867-0753.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, June 12, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved