Richard “Dick” D. Wood Jr., the longtime president, CEO, and chairman of Wawa, has died at the age of 88. The company announced that Wood passed away on Friday, marking the loss of the visionary leader who helped transform Wawa from a regional convenience store chain into one of the nation’s most recognized and respected brands.
In announcing his passing, Wawa described Wood as “the visionary and driving force behind Wawa’s business model, and a pillar of servant leadership, values and culture” whose influence shaped the company for more than five decades.
Born on March 4, 1938, in Philadelphia, Wood attended St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire, before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Virginia and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He was married to Jeanette “Jean” Wood, who passed away in 2025, and together they raised two children, Lisa and Richard.
Wood joined Wawa in 1970 as the company’s first general counsel at the invitation of Grahame Wood, founder of the first Wawa Food Market and his father’s cousin. He quickly became a central figure in the company’s leadership, serving as president beginning in 1977, chief executive officer in 1980, and chairman and CEO in 1982.
Under his leadership, Wawa experienced decades of remarkable growth while maintaining a strong commitment to customer service, employee ownership, and community involvement. After retiring as CEO in 2004, Wood continued serving as chairman of the board before being named Chairman Emeritus in 2020, coinciding with his 50th anniversary with the company.
Current Wawa Chairman and CEO Chris Gheysens praised Wood’s enduring influence, describing him as the company’s “Lead Goose” whose servant leadership philosophy placed people first and helped create the culture that continues to define Wawa today.
Beyond his business accomplishments, Wood was widely recognized for his philanthropic work. He maintained a lifelong commitment to children’s healthcare, particularly through his support of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). His contributions helped establish the Richard D. Wood Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, an endowed chair in pediatric diagnostic medicine, and Wawa’s Coffee & Care Cart program, where Wood himself was often seen serving coffee to patients and their families.
He also supported numerous charitable organizations, including Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida, where he championed efforts to expand public access to the historic gardens.
Following news of his passing, tributes have poured in from Wawa associates, business leaders, customers, and community organizations, many remembering Wood for his humility, generosity, and unwavering commitment to servant leadership. His leadership philosophy and emphasis on compassion helped define Wawa’s culture and left a lasting impact on generations of employees.
To honor his legacy, Wawa announced that coffee will be offered free at all Wawa stores on Monday, July 20, inviting customers and associates to celebrate Wood’s extraordinary life and contributions.
The Wood family has requested that memorial donations be made to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment or Bok Tower Gardens in Florida, two causes that reflected his lifelong dedication to improving the lives of others.
Richard D. Wood Jr. leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a visionary business leader, philanthropist, and advocate for servant leadership. He will be remembered by his family, friends, colleagues, and the countless lives he touched through his leadership, generosity, and enduring commitment to community.