Mike Wood, LeapFrog Founder, Dies at 72 After Choosing Physician-Assisted Suicide

Mike Wood, the founder of LeapFrog Enterprises, passed away on April 10 at the age of 72. He chose to end his life through physician-assisted suicide at Dignitas, a nonprofit organization in Zurich, Switzerland. Wood had Alzheimer’s disease and decided to take this step before his condition became too severe. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.

LeapFrog, the company Wood created, shared a tribute to him, remembering him as an innovative leader who helped millions of children learn to read. “His passion turned into a company that made a big difference in education,” the company said in a statement, sending condolences to his family and all who were affected by his work.

In Switzerland, the law allows people to choose assisted suicide if they are of sound mind and their reasons are not selfish. The law applies to those who are terminally ill, in severe pain, or living with a disability they can’t endure. Dignitas, a well-known clinic, has helped many people over the years.

Mike Wood was born on September 1, 1952, in California. He was inspired to create LeapFrog after seeing his young son struggle to learn to read. Although his son knew the alphabet, he couldn’t pronounce the letter sounds correctly. Worried that this would affect his son’s future, Wood invented a toy that played sounds when kids pressed plastic letters. He worked with engineers and educators to develop the Phonics Desk, which was released in 1995, and it became the start of LeapFrog.

The success of LeapFrog attracted investors like Michael Milken and Larry Ellison, who helped the company grow. Wood also bought a company that had created a prototype for what became the LeapPad, a popular interactive learning toy. The LeapPad was a huge hit, and by 2001, LeapFrog products were in 2,500 schools. In 2002, they were in nine million homes.

Wood stepped down from his role at LeapFrog in 2004, after the company had become very successful. Despite leaving, he stayed active in the education field, creating another learning company called Smarty Ants. He also volunteered as a reading teacher at a local school, where he personally brought in LeapFrog toys for the kids. “He loved going to that school and teaching the kids,” said Bob Lally, a cofounder of LeapFrog.

Mike Wood is survived by his wife, Leslie Harlander, his brothers Tim and Denis, his son Mat, and three grandchildren.

Read More: Benedetto Ceraulo Who killed Maurizio Gucci Shoots Son in Family Dispute