Obituary of Allen J Wood

Niskayuna - Allen J. Wood of Niskayuna, NY and Brewster MA passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, September 10, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer. Allen was born in Milwaukee, WI October 1,1925 to the late Alfred and Kathleen Wood . He received his BEE from Marquette U in 1949, MS in Electrical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1951, PhD from RPI in 1959. He served in WWII with the U.S. Army in both the European and Pacific Theaters from 1943-1946. He started his professional career as an electrical engineer at Allis Chalmers Mfg. Co. Milwaukee, WI 1949-1950. He worked with GE in Lynn, MA and in Schenectady, NY, Hughes Aircraft Co. Culver City, CA. The highlight of his career was in 1969. He was one of seven men who founded Power Technologies Inc. (PTI) Schenectady, NY where he worked until his retirement in 1991 as a principal engineer, consultant, treasurer, chief financial officer and also as a member of the Board of Directors. Allen was an adjunct professor in the graduate Electric Power Engineering Program at RPI 1966-2000, Fellow IEEE (life), member AAAS, author of Power-System Reliability Calculations and Power Generation Operation and Control. He contributed numerous articles to professional journals. He was a member of the First Reformed Church of Schenectady. Survivors include his beloved wife of 61 years, Barbara (Cook) Wood; a son John Scott Wood and his wife, Donna of Canton, NY; a daughter Susan Beth Richmond and her husband Joseph of Westford, MA; four granddaughters, Amy, Lisa, Jennifer Richmond and Maggie Wood. The family wishes to acknowledge the excellent care and kindness of the staff of Community Hospice of Schenectady and especially caregiver Donna Holly. Allen's greatest joy was his children and grandchildren; other passions included playing cards with his grandchildren, walking the beach at Cape Cod, amateur radio, photography, reading, skiing and hiking in the Adirondacks with his family. After retirement he and his wife travelled extensively through Europe, Asia and the U.S. A memorial service to which friends are invited will be held Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 2 p.m. in the Poling Chapel of The First Reformed Church of Schenectady with Rev. Bill Levering officiating and Rev. Daniel Carlson assisting. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Allen's memory to The Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union Street , Schenectady, NY 12308 or to The First Reformed Church of Schenectady, 8 N. Church Street, Schenectady, NY 12305.