Lasting Memories

Allen Doane Wood
Aug. 16, 1935-Oct. 8, 2026
Palo Alto, California

Allen Wood, a beloved husband and father, exceptional space engineer, and creative inventor, passed away in Palo Alto, California, at the age of 91.

Allen earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1963, where he was also a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. He was proud to have served in the Army through ROTC, active duty, and the reserves.

Allen spent his entire career as a research scientist at Lockheed Missiles and Space, bringing curiosity and resourcefulness to his work. He was an early champion of electric vehicles. In the 1970s he built his own electric motorcycle and rode it to work, gaining the attention of the Palo Alto Times and Electric Auto Association.

An adventurous outdoorsman, Allen was an enthusiastic scoutmaster for Troop 14 and a leader at Camp Oljato. He planned and led week-long backpacking trips in the Sierras. In retirement, he enjoyed gardening, tennis, 49ers football, local theater, and camping, and he put his engineering skills to good use around the church and at home.

A member of First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto since 1966, Allen sang bass in the adult choir and served the church’s Board of Trustees as trustee, chair, and trustee emeritus. At the annual family camp, he was known for his water rocket wizardry, which culminated each year in a much-anticipated launch night. He invented a safe, inexpensive, and reliable launch pad and loved experimenting with new rocket designs.

He will be remembered for his ingenuity and for the care he gave to those closest to him.

Allen is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Mary Lu Wood; his four sons, Stephen, Keith, Brian, and Eric Wood; and their partners, Julie, Sophia, Melissa, and Lindsay. A devoted family man and much-loved father, he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.