Stephen B. Wood

Stephen B. Wood, 88, of Kingston, died Thursday. He was the cherished husband of Judith (Branson) Wood for 62 years. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he was a son of the late Ralph J. and Marcella (Pfeiffer) Wood. Mr. Wood was a Professor at the University of Rhode Island. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago where he also began his teaching career in the college. His book, Constitutional Politics in the Progressive Era, was published by the University of Chicago Press. After Chicago he taught at Grinnell College and Connecticut College before coming to URI in 1967. During his tenure at the university, he taught, did research and served in several administrative capacities. He served honorably in the US Army 94th Infantry Division during World War II and published a memoir about his experiences during the war, On Being An Infantryman. Besides his wife, he is survived by five children, David Wood of Springfield, IL, Eliza Caplan of Brooklyn, NY, Jonathan Wood of Allentown, PA, Ellen Wood of Fairbanks, AK, and Stephen Wood of Manitou Springs, CO; fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and a sister NormaLee Palmer of Redlands, CA. He was the brother of the late Ralph J. Wood, formerly of Chicago. A memorial will be held at the convenience of the family in the spring. Donations in his name can be made to Concrete Couch (211 Illinois Avenue, Manitou Springs CO 80829) a community arts organization in RI and Colorado or to the URI Foundation for student scholarships in the Physical Therapy Program at URI. (P.O. Box 1700, Kingston, RI 02881 or 401-874-7900).