Atwood Dunwody died on Wednesday, January 24, 1996 at age 84. He was born in Arcadia, Florida on January 28, 1912. He was educated in the public schools of Florida and the University of Florida, from which he received an L.L.B. degree in 1933. He was admitted to the practice of law in Florida in 1933 and in that year became associated with the Miami, Florida law firm that was to become Mershon, Sawyer, Johnston, Dunwody & Cole. He practiced there for 62 years until October of 1995, when he founded the new firm of Dunwody White & Landon, P.A., where he participated as a senior shareholder until his death.

Mr. Dunwody was widely recognized as one of the finest lawyers in Florida, especially in the field of Trusts and Estates. He was one of the earliest Florida Fellows in the American College of Probate Counsel (now the American College of  Trusts and Estates Counsel) and was recognized by his peers by being included in The Best Lawyers in America. He was also a member of the Dade County and American Bar Associations. His practice was not limited to Trusts and Estates. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the United States Sugar Corporation in February of 1955 and was appointed as General Counsel of the corporation in December of 1960, which position he occupied until March of 1987, during which period he also served as a member of the Executive Committee. He remained on the Board of Directors and also on the Board of Trustees of United States Sugar Corporation Charitable Trust until his death.

Mr. Dunwody was active and influential in the South Florida community. He served on the Board of the United Way of Dade County and was President of that Board in 1970 and Chairman in 1972. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Dade Foundation, the original purpose of which was to provide support for capital improvements for the United Way and its agencies. The Dade Foundation then evolved into the Dade Community Foundation and is now known as The Miami Foundation, which serves the non-profit community in a multitude of ways, not only for capital improvements. Mr. Dunwody was a founder Trustee and he served the two organizations as Trustee from 1967 until 1981. He was also Chairman in 1973 and 1974. Because of his great influence in giving guidance to the Foundation and his ability to secure financial support, he was known as the “Godfather of the Dade Community Foundation.”

Mr. Dunwody was one of the original members of the Variety Children’s Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees and also a member of the Variety Children’s Hospital Board of Directors. He gave greatly of his time and talents to Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation including service and membership in the President’s Cabinet. In recognition of these things the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation caused Mr. Dunwody to be made Trustee Emeritus of the Foundation.

Mr. Dunwody also served as a Trustee of the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations from the date of their beginning until his death.