Robert E. Wood

After a lifetime devoted to philosophy, faith, and family, Robert E. Wood passed away on February 10, 2023, at the age of 88. Robert earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Marquette University and went on to teach philosophy for 57 years starting at St. Joseph’s College, then the Catholic University of America, Duquesne University, St. Joseph’s University, Marquette University, and finally the University of Dallas where he taught for 39 years until his retirement at the age of 83. At the University of Dallas, he held several administrative positions: Chair of the Philosophy Department, Director of the Master of Humanities program, Director of the Institute of Philosophic Studies, Graduate Dean, and Interim Provost. He was the twelfth recipient of the King Award in 1996 for excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. He taught at the University’s Rome campus in 1983 and was in Tübingen, West Germany in 1989 as a Fulbright Scholar.

Robert served as president of the American Catholic Philosophical Association and president of the North Texas Philosophical Association. He edited the ACPA’s Journal, which he re-named American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly. In 2018 he received his most prestigious award, the Aquinas Medal from the ACPA, given to an “outstanding teacher” who has “contributed significantly to the development of philosophy in the Catholic tradition.”

Robert’s philosophical focus included aesthetics, anthropology, history of philosophy, metaphysics, Hegel, Heidegger, and Plato. His thought was often centered on the notion of the heart. His book Placing Aesthetics (1999) received a Choice Outstanding Academic Title Award. He wrote ten books on philosophy (eight published, two pending), edited one book, co-edited seven books and published over 90 articles.

Robert was very dedicated to his Catholic faith both at home and in the community, serving on pastoral council, lecturing, developing and teaching a Deaconate Formation Program. His many interests include art, nature, landscape architecture and classical music. He was an artist in drawing and a ceramic sculptor. He loved sports, puns and witty expressions; singing old songs, walks in the woods, swimming, and fishing with his family.

Robert is survived by his devoted wife Marjorie (married 63 years); five children Robert (and Katie) Wood, Gregory (and Mary) Wood, Mary (and Dan) Kubala, David Wood (and Dee Stephens), and Mark (and Prescilla) Wood; 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, all of whom he was very proud.

The viewing will be on Saturday, February 18th with visitation starting at 4:00pm, rosary and reflections at 5:00pm at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, Texas with the funeral held on Sunday, February 19 at 2:00pm at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10205 N FM 620, Austin.

Instead of flowers, donors are asked to contribute to the Robert E. Wood Institute of Philosophic Studies Endowment (https://advancement.udallas.edu/donate) where friends can designate their gift to the Robert E. Wood scholarship (in the designation drop down menu). The endowment provides stipends for married doctoral students in Philosophy.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com for the Wood family.