The hockey community was saddened to learn that one of the stalwarts of the international hockey scene has passed away.
Allan Woods had been fighting a gallant battle against Lewy Body Dementia, but finally succumbed to the disease on 24 April. Tributes to the 85-year-old have come from around the globe.
Well-known and respected in hockey circles in both his home country of the USA and on the worldwide stage, Allan had been both a player and administrator for the better part of six decades. During that time, he had visited more than 30 countries and six continents. As a player, Allan represented his colleges – Deerfield Academy and Lafayette College – as well as being selected for the senior USA team. When his playing days were over, he spent most of the remainder of his time serving in a variety of official capacities. Over the course of his hockey involvement, Allan attended every Olympic Games in one role or another from 1976 to 2004, excluding the 1980 Olympics which USA boycotted.
In addition to being a former national team player, Allan served as President of the Field Hockey Association of America, a director of the Pan-American Hockey Federation, a council member and chairman of the Equipment Committee of the International Hockey Federation and a member of the United States Olympic Committee.
When he wasn’t involved in hockey matters, Allan’s professional life was in marketing. He enjoyed a 31-year marketing career with IBM/Lexmark, but his true love and passion was for amateur sports, particularly hockey.
Besides his own involvement in the sport, Allan always tried to encourage the next generation to get involved in extra curricular activities. Through his work as President of the New York Amateur Sports Alliance and as a Development Organiser for the Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation, he was able to create opportunities for young people to engage in sports and activities.
Allan is survived by his wife of 49 years, Pamela; daughter Amanda Wasserstrom, son-in-law Eric Wasserstrom and grandsons Will and Hugo Wasserstrom of New York; and his sister Ruth Frothingham of Shelburne, Vermont.
