John Richard Wood

November 12, 1945 – February 15,2026

John passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 15, 2026, following complications related to pancreatic cancer which he had been diagnosed with a year earlier. A quiet man, John had what one close friend described as a “parched” sense of humor—if you were listening carefully, you soon realized that his words were artfully chosen. His keen sense of humor and thoughtful approach to life are already missed by his friends and family.

Born Thomas [Marquis] Kovach in Washington, DC, John was adopted by Lois Campbell and Carlton Wood as an infant. He adored his parents and lived a fascinating childhood abroad. His father’s work as a development economist with the US State Department and later the Ford Foundation took the family to places like India, Pakistan and Peru. A true citizen of the world, John embraced different cultures and cuisines while developing lifelong friendships along the way.

The embodiment of a renaissance man, John was a lifelong learner. His formal education focused on cultural anthropology beginning with an undergraduate degree as a member of the inaugural class at UC Santa Cruz. He started his graduate education at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, after purchasing a Honda 250 motorcycle to travel across the three states and western Canada to get there. Once there he realized a Honda 250 might not be the most sensible pairing for the muddy, dirt roads and extreme climate of Alaska so he traded the bike and many fond memories for a used Ford pickup. Before finishing his Masters, he was drafted for service with the Army as a lab technician in Thailand during the Vietnam War. With the disruption in his graduate studies, he ultimately returned to Pacific Grove to complete his Masters at the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS). It was also here in Pacific Grove that he met Carmen Harlan—wooing her with glorious Chinese and Indian cuisine.

On a whim (and with his mother’s delight) Carmen joined John for a cross-country road trip to North Carolina in his new Ford pickup. There was less mud and snow than his trip to Alaska but they did encounter their fair share of mosquitoes along the way—explaining why the campground at an otherwise picturesque lake was completely empty! Carmen returned to California while John completed his doctorate at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Although John may have completed his formal education at UNC, he continued to pursue lifelong interests in the arts, fine woodworking and music.

After receiving his PhD in 1981, John returned to California and Carmen. They married and two sons followed, David and Adam. Holding David after his birth, he uttered that he now had a true family—someone that carried his true DNA.

On the Monterey Peninsula, John’s professional career included graduate teaching and research engagements at MIIS and the US Naval Postgraduate School. With his paintbrush he explored watercolors and oil paints on canvas before branching out to hand-painted ceramic tiles. As a result of his interest in ceramic tile murals, he also attained his general contractor’s license allowing him to install the tile murals once they were kiln fired. In addition to painting, he also enjoyed fine woodworking and metal work—often melding his crafts together to form pieces like his wood and tile-top tables or a carved wooden horse for one of Carmen’s hand-made teddy bears. It didn’t hurt that his father-in-law, Stan Harlan, was a retired industrial arts educator and always happy to share some guidance or ideas when John was tackling a new project. John, in turn, mentored Adam and evidence of their work together is scattered across the Monterey Peninsula in numerous home renovation and restoration projects.

John loved all forms of music and played the recorder, flute and guitar. For him, of course, it was not enough to just play guitar—later in life he decided that he wanted to make his own guitar. Under the tutelage of his good friend and master artisan, David Anderson, he learned to build guitars and ukuleles while developing a deep appreciation for how materials, finishes and minute details all influence the tone of an instrument. His latest project, a tenor ukulele intended for Carmen, is waiting unfinished in the basement. Also unfinished is his desire to learn to sing. A testament to his widespread interests and love of learning, John often mused what he would “grow up to be”.

John was predeceased by his parents, Lois and Carlton Wood, and his older brother, James. He is survived by his wife, Carmen Harlan-Wood; his sons, David Wood (Fritzi) and Adam Wood (Julie Ross); his grandchildren, Connor Wood and Allegra Wood; his sister-in-law, Marie-Paule Wood; and his nieces, Paula Franzman (Kevin) and Rita Villasenor (Alfonso).

John will be interred at El Carmelo Cemetery in Pacific Grove, California. At his request, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider setting aside some time to explore a new passion in memory of John.