With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Ronald Edmund Wood, 87, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to all whose lives he touched. Longtime resident of Plymouth Meeting, PA, Ron passed away peacefully in the early morning on Friday, April 10, at Sunrise Senior Living in Lafayette Hill, PA, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. In the days preceding, Ron was surrounded in love and faith by his close family and friends as well as the Ascend Health hospice team and Sunrise caregivers who devotedly watched over him for many years.

Ron was born in the Bronx, NY, on June 13, 1938, to the late Joseph and Ethel (Herbst) Wood. Ron attended grade school at P.S. 19, The Bronx. Throughout his life, he spoke quite passionately about his choral singing during those years and his blossoming love of music. After graduation in 1952, Ron commuted to Concordia Collegiate Institute, Preparatory School in Bronxville, NY, for high school. Known by many to be a quiet and serious young man, he participated in a variety of activities and sports, including track and the Science Club as well as being named a Prepster for his college preparatory focus in high school.

Graduating from high school in 1956 and ready to branch out from New York, Ron attended Gettysburg College to study Business Administration, minoring in Political Science. Always in search of new opportunities and the chance to help others, Ron became a member of the Delta Omicron chapter of the Theta Chi fraternity, serving as a historian for the organization. He was also a member of the Booster Club, the Business Club and the Science Club, and he participated in the U.S. Army ROTC Drill Team. His years at college were life changing because it was there that he met and fell in love with his wife, Mary Schofield Wood, enjoying 56 years of marriage before her passing. 

After graduation in 1960 from Gettysburg, Ron served in the U.S. Army for two years, receiving training in Georgia and he was stationed overseas in Germany. He spoke fondly about his days abroad. He would tell his family and friends stories about his work with radio-teletype equipment and helicopters as well as funny tales of hours spent with fellow soldiers and locals at the neighborhood pub. Ron was very proud to serve his country and greatly appreciated moments when he was recognized as a veteran.

Throughout his life, Ron had the opportunity to work for numerous companies including Philadelphia National Bank as a branch manager and a banking officer for almost 20 years. Later in his life, for 15 years, he oversaw the credit and activation process for cellular services for Cingular Wireless, now AT&T. Family and friends fondly remember Ron having the first-ever car phones and mobile phones on the market in the 1980s.

Ron was actively involved in many local volunteer organizations, including serving in several officer positions for the Whitemarsh Lions Club as well as an area captain for the Whitemarsh Township Residents Association, a member of the Whitemarsh Township Advisory and Regulatory Board, and a Council member for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. For many years, Ron served as a Judge of Elections for his local voting district in Whitemarsh Township. Also, he was a member of the American Legion Post 769 in Ambler, PA. Ron and his wife were members of Collie Rescue of Southeastern PA, leading to the inevitable adoption of numerous family pets. Those who knew him best have many fond memories of watching Ron enjoy walking the family dogs, whether it was around the neighborhood or on the beach down the shore.

Later in life, as a dedicated son and father, Ron took a very active role in caring for his mother and his grandchildren. He was an avid reader, golfer and music enthusiast, well known for his love of performers such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Engelbert Humperdinck and Neil Diamond. Ron enjoyed filming and watching home movies of family milestones, highlights and excursions, and he was a super fan of both action movies and Westerns. Over the years, he enjoyed many traveling adventures with his wife. And, he was well known by all for his love of sports teams, especially when he was watching the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles with a beer in hand. 

Ron was immensely proud of his family and passed down many of his pastime passions to his children and grandchildren. He leaves behind many beautiful memories of a life of dedication and love for his family and friends. Ron enriched the lives of all those who were lucky enough to have known him and he will be greatly missed by all, especially for his sense of humor and unwavering strength.

Ron was the beloved husband of Mary S. Wood, who passed away in April 2020; the devoted father of Stephanie Melillo (Jack) and Lauren DeVitis (Robert); the loving grandfather of Sydney Melillo, Nicholas DeVitis, Caroline Melillo, Brian DeVitis and Jameson Melillo; the caring brother-in-law of Margaret (Molly) Frishmuth (Ronald); and the kind uncle of Russell Frishmuth (Dena) and Pamela Boutte (Matthew). 

A celebration of life service for family and friends will be held on Ron’s birthday, Saturday, June 13, at Lownes Family Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. with Reverend Jonathan Suloff officiating. Interment of Ron’s ashes at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 3025 Church Road, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444, or Collie Rescue of Southeastern PA at www.collierescueofsepa.info.