Richard D. “Dick” Wood Jr., the longtime executive credited with transforming Wawa from a regional dairy business into one of the nation’s most successful convenience retailers, has died at the age of 88. Wood passed away at home on July 10.
Dick joined the family business started by his great-grandfather George Wood, who opened the Wawa dairy in 1902. The first Wawa market was opened in 1964 by Grahame Wood. Starting at the company as general counsel in 1970, Dick ultimately spent more than five decades leading the company through one of the most significant growth periods in its history.
Dick was appointed president in 1977, CEO in 1980, and later chairman in 1982. He ultimately became one of the company’s most impactful leaders. During his tenure, the Delaware County, Pa.-based Wawa evolved from a neighborhood convenience chain into a nationally recognized brand, expanding its footprint across multiple states while introducing innovations that reshaped the convenience retail experience.
Dick retired as CEO in 2004 and was named chairman emeritus in 2020. Under his long-term guidance, Wawa broadened its foodservice offerings, added gasoline operations, embraced 24-hour service at many locations and steadily expanded beyond its Pennsylvania roots. By the time he stepped away from day-to-day leadership, the retailer had grown into a major regional operator serving millions of customers annually.
He is remembered not only for expanding one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most recognizable retail brands, but also for fostering a corporate culture centered on service, innovation and community engagement.
Beyond store growth, Wood helped cultivate the customer-first culture that became synonymous with the Wawa brand. His emphasis on quality, community involvement and employee ownership contributed to Wawa’s reputation as one of the convenience industry’s most admired companies.
He led the company’s employee stock ownership program, which claims almost 40% associate participation. Additionally, he created Wawa’s Internal Care Team in 1992, an organization within the company that helps associates experiencing impactful life events in a supportive and empathetic manner.
Outside the business, Wood was recognized for his philanthropic efforts throughout the Philadelphia region, particularly his longstanding support of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and numerous civic and charitable organizations.
In announcing his passing, Wawa described Wood as a driving force behind the company’s evolution and a leader whose vision helped establish the retailer as one of the country’s premier convenience chains. On Monday, July 20, coffee will be free in all Wawa stores to honor Wood and “toast his legacy,” company officials said.