In Memoriam: Richard Wood (1950-2026)
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Former nutrition faculty member and department chair Richard Wood passed away on May 14, 2026, following a long illness. Born in 1950 in Chelsea, MA, he lived a life devoted to science, education, compassion, and family.
“Richard was a deeply respected scholar whose contributions to the field of nutrition science extended far beyond his research accomplishments,” says Lindiwe Sibeko, professor and chair of nutrition. “What truly set him apart was his remarkable generosity with his knowledge and his time. Whether you were a student seeking guidance, a junior faculty member finding your footing, or a longtime colleague, Richard had this gift for making one feel both valued and capable. His insights always came with genuine encouragement and an infectious sense of calmness. The department is grateful for Richard’s rich scholarly legacy. He will be missed by his Nutrition family.”
“Richard was not only a renowned expert in vitamin D and calcium metabolism, but also an exceptional mentor who deeply cared about the professional growth of junior faculty and graduate students,” adds Zhenhua Liu, professor of nutrition and a longtime colleague. “He also had a deep love for children and family, as demonstrated by his decision to adopt children later in life. His compassion, generosity, and dedication to others will be deeply missed and long remembered.”
Wood earned a B.A. in Biology from Boston University and both an M.S. and Ph.D. in Nutrition from the University of Connecticut. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago, he joined the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, where he conducted influential research on calcium and iron metabolism and mentored numerous graduate students and young scientists.
He joined the faculty at UMass Amherst in 2009, where he continued his research, mentored colleagues and students, and served as department chair from 2015-2018. His research focused on understanding the role of vitamin D as it relates to the molecular mechanisms associated with intestinal calcium transport, and more recently on fat cell function. His research also explored the effects of various bioactive food components found in plant foods on cellular epigenetic changes in fat cells and intestinal cells and how these changes influence cellular vitamin D action.
Wood is survived by his loving wife, former nutrition faculty member Alayne Ronnenberg, along with his children and family.