Franklin Wood

WOOD Lt. Col. FRANKLIN WOOD (Ret.) On Wednesday, February 27, 2013, Franklin Wood passed away peacefully in Fairfax, Virginia. Franklin was born in Rockford, Illinois January 10, 1921, the eldest of five children. He grew up in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, with his parents Norman Bentley and Mae Chill Wood; brother to Virginia, Katherine, Marjorie and Norman. A veteran who proudly served his country in World War II and the Korean War, he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of June 1943. Shortly after his commission as a Second Lieutenant, he was recruited into a specialized unit dedicated to code-breaking and intelligence analysis. He served in India and Burma under General Joseph Stilwell. Franklin worked on the ULTRA project and continued to work in Defense and Army intelligence throughout his career. He received numerous awards and decorations. In 1946, Franklin married Beatrice Wentura of Newark, New Jersey. His career took them across the U.S., with assignments in Hawaii, Texas, Georgia, Kansas and Virginia, as well as several tours in Europe, primarily in Germany. Three children were born while stationed in Hawaii, Virginia and Germany. Franklin retired in 1971 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. After his military career, he joined the staff of the George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science in Washington, D.C., where he managed the Engineering Co-op program. He also traveled for the university, recruiting promising high school students for the Engineering School. Franklin enjoyed travel, history and hiking, and was an expert gardener. Family hiking trips or tours to historic destinations were frequent, either while stationed overseas or stateside. After retirement, Franklin and Beatrice continued to travel together as participants in Elder Hostel education-based tours. He frequently attended West Point reunions where he enjoyed connecting with classmates and old friends. He also enjoyed summer trips to his Wisconsin hometown and to the many Wood family reunions. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Beatrice Wood, his children Valerie Wood, Franklin Wood, Beth Moorcones and his grandchildren Tara Wood, Brian Hrenak, Andrew Moorcones, Amy Moorcones and Bradley Wood. Franklin is also survived by his sister, Virginia Gaddis and his brother Norman Wood, as well as many nieces and nephews. Franklin is preceded in death by his sisters Katherine Taylor, Marjorie Konecny, and his granddaughter Dana Wood. Family and friends may gather on Monday, March 11, 2013, at 2 p.m., at the Greensprings Retirement Community Chapel, 7418 Spring Village Drive, Springfield, VA 22150. Internment at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being made by Murphy Funeral Home, Falls Church, Virginia.