WOOD, Blair D.

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ Friday, February 04, 2011 Blair D. Wood, owner/director of the Flagstaff Ballroom Academy, died Jan 10, 2011, surrounded by loved ones at his home. The son of burn unit pioneer Dr. Macdonald Wood and TV personality Janet Wood, he was born in the summer of 1950 in Denver. He spent his childhood on a farm in Phoenix, surrounded by animals from horses to macaws and even gibbon apes. He moved to San Diego with his family in 1960 and became an avid surfer. In 1964, he auditioned successfully to be on Dick Clark's famous TV show "American Bandstand." He had a great love of bringing joy to others and an immense talent to entertain. He was educated in many forms of dance, music and theater, but ballroom was his passion. He began teaching ballroom dance in 1976 and went on to receive his professional diploma in 1989. He was an extraordinary teacher, striving to bring true understanding and ability to his students. In his career, he taught throughout southern California and in Phoenix. After moving to Flagstaff in 2001, Mr. Wood founded The Flagstaff Ballroom Academy. He extended his services to the Flagstaff Home Educators and Flagstaff High School in 2007. In 2008, his Flagstaff Ballroom Academy won the Arizona Daily Sun's Best of Flagstaff Award for Best Alternative to Flowers. His love of Latin music and dance led him to pursue a degree in Spanish at NAU. He strove always to be a source of positive change and contributed greatly to the lives of many. Mr. Wood is survived by his fiancee, Arwen Hamblin; sisters Alison and Barbara; brother Mac; one nephew; and one niece. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and his younger brother, Ross. A private memorial dance is being planned.