ARCATA, Calif. – Dr. Frank Boardman Wood, a former Bangor resident, died Oct. 12, 2008, from complications of pneumonia. He would have been 86 on Nov. 5, 2008. Professor Wood was born in Bangor to the late Harold and Idella MacLeod Wood. His beloved sister, Barbara Brookings, wife of the late Dr. John W. Brookings, continues to live in the city. His education at the University of Maine was interrupted during World War II by his enlistment in the Army Air Corps, where he served from 1942 to 1945 in North Africa and Italy. He then returned to the university, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in French in 1948. After graduation he married Ann Boutelle Mitchell, the daughter of the late Bangor residents, James and Elizabeth Mitchell. Her sister is Mary Graffam, of Brewer, formerly of Hampden. The couple left Maine in 1948 for the University of Iowa, where he received his master’s and doctorate in French. Dr. Wood had expected to join the Foreign Service or teach at a New England university. All that changed when Dr. Cornelius Siemens, president of what was then known as Humboldt State College, in northern California, unexpectedly called. At that time, the small college only offered introductory courses in Spanish and French. Huge scientific advances by other countries during the next few years, including Sputnik, produced a growing national recognition of the importance of learning languages. Dr. Siemens sought the wide knowledge of this new professor and he convinced the young couple to settle in California. Dr. Wood began teaching at Humboldt in 1953. Throughout the years, he taught French, Spanish, German and Italian. However, he quickly recognized the value of hiring other professors to expand course offerings and allow majors in multiple languages. Through his vision and leadership, the Foreign Language Department was created. On Father’s Day 2007, his five children presented him with a commemorative bench that resides in a lovely courtyard on the campus, in recognition of his 33 years at the university. Another bench honors their mother. In addition to his parents, Professor Wood was predeceased by his brother, Grinnell M. “Jack” Wood of Bangor. Survivors include his cherished wife of more than 60 years, Ann; five children, eight grandchildren, a great-granddaughter, as well as other beloved relatives too numerous to mention. A private family service and burial was held Oct. 17 at Greenwood Cemetery, Arcata, Calif. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Frank B. Wood Scholarship Endowment for the Study of Foreign Languages at Humboldt State University, HSU Gift Processing Center, 1 Harpst St., Arcata, CA 95521.
DR. FRANK BOARDMAN WOOD
