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Charles was born in Blue Earth, MN on May 12, 1933 as the eldest son of the late Elmer and Elsie Wood (Arndt). He and his sister, Verna, grew up in southern Minnesota. He graduated from Fairmont High School in 1951.
He married Ann Wood (Luedtke) on July 17, 1953 and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in landscape architecture in 1958. Charles went on to study under Hideo Sasaki at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He received his Master of Landscape Architecture degree in 1959. Charles founded the office of Charles Wood & Associates in Minneapolis in the early 1960's. His firm would work on commercial projects throughout the United States. He enjoyed collaborating with the late Ralph Rapson and taught landscape architecture at the University of Minnesota in the early 1970's.
Charles, Ann and their 5 children moved to the country in 1972, buying a small farm outside New Prague, MN. In 1976, Charles Wood and Associates worked together with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill on the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia. Charles continued to expand his hog and grain farm in the 1980's and practice landscape architecture.
In the 1990's, Charles collaborated with Leonard Parker Associates to design the Minneapolis Convention Center and the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chili. He also developed the Macalester College master plan and completed many projects at the University of Minnesota. Toward the end of his career his passion for architecture extended to designing residences in Minnesota country sides.
Charles is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann Wood, Greg and Christie Wood of Howard Lake, MN, Graham of Jordan, MN, Chuck and Pam Wood of Eden Prairie, Gwen and Leo of New Prague, MN, Gretchen and Chuck Wessel of New Prague, MN, Verna and Dr. Norm Poquette of Dundas, MN. He also leaves behind 6 loving grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, Edina Chapel, 7110 France Ave S., on September 27 at 12:00 pm.