Wilson Harwood

Wilson Franklin Harwood, whose career took him and his family all over the world, died Jan. 31 at Stanford Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Mr. Harwood was born in San Francisco and attended Lowell High School. At Stanford University, class of 1934, his sister Sally introduced him to his future wife, Lee Lewis.

A naval officer during World War II, Mr. Harwood served as an administrative and budget analyst in Washington, D.C. He worked in various government agencies, including the Naval Research Laboratory, Office of Naval Research, and National Bureau of Standards.

With the formation of the National Science Foundation in 1951, he was selected as assistant director for administration.

In his work for Stanford Research Institute and other organizations, he worked to improve the lives of people in Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Iran, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt, say family members.

A resident of Portola Valley for the last 40 years, Mr. Harwood is survived by his wife of 69 years, Lee; children Margaret Milledge of Palo Alto, Sara Arnold of Lexington, Massachusetts, and Lewis Harwood of Bethesda, Maryland; sister Sally de Bivort; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

"Papa Willie" will be remembered for his love of adventure, global perspective, spirited intellect, and colorful stories, say family members.

A celebration of Mr. Harwood's life will be held in the spring.