Richard D. Wood Jr., who guided Wawa from a regional dairy into a beloved convenience store chain, died at age 88. The Wood family business began in 1682 with Richard Wood, an English Quaker, and evolved through various enterprises, including a dairy founded by George Wood in 1902, named Wawa Dairy.

As milk delivery declined, George Wood's grandson, Grahame Wood, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 in Folsom, Pa. The business expanded rapidly, leading Grahame to hire his cousin's son, Richard D. Wood Jr., as general counsel in 1970. Recognizing Richard's talent, Grahame soon appointed him to lead the company.

Richard D. Wood Jr., known as Dick, transformed Wawa into a convenience store giant, fostering a unique corporate culture. He insisted that all executives spend a day annually working in a store, ensuring they remained connected to the customer experience and the company's operational realities. Under his leadership, Wawa grew into a cult-favorite brand, renowned for its quality products and distinctive atmosphere.