Frederick Henry WOLF

WOLF, ARMSTRONG, RIBERA, HAUGEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/18/2016 at 17:49:49

December 14, 1934 ---- December 4, 2016

Germantown, TN --- Frederick Henry Wolf passed away peacefully on the evening of December 4, 2016 with his beloved family surrounding him. He will celebrate Christmas and his 82nd birthday in Eternity. Born in Waverly, IA, Fred was the first and only son and second child of Fred G. and Mabel W. Wolf. He attended St. Paul's Lutheran grade school (1949) and Waverly High School (1953), where he was valedictorian, member of the National Honor Society and recipient of the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award.

Fred attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA (1953-54) where he received the Freshman Science Award, and subsequently transferred to Iowa State University, graduating at the top of his class with a degree in Architecture (1954-58). Fred received the Sophomore Architecture Award, AIA medal, and was a member of Tau Beta Pi, Tau Sigma Delta, and the Order of the Sextant.

While at Iowa State, Fred met Carol Kay Armstrong of Dows, Iowa, on a blind date. After a lengthy two-week courtship, he asked her to marry him. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on June 15, 2016. Upon graduation, Fred was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy Civil Engineering Corps, having enrolled in the NROTC his sophomore year. After attending Civil Engineer Corps Officer's School in Port Hueneme, CA, he was stationed at the US Naval Air Station on the island of Guam, serving first as a Design Divisional Officer in the Public Works Department and subsequently as a Staff Civil Engineer (1958-61). Upon completion of this tour of duty, Fred and Carol took a memorable long way home, traveling through Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Egypt, Greece, and throughout Europe.

Back in the US, Fred worked in the Campus Architect's Office at Iowa State, earning an MS degree in Civil Engineering during that period as well (1961-65). He designed Iowa State's married student housing complex, which stands today. Carol and Fred then moved to Palo Alto, CA, where Fred earned his MBA at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business (1965-67). Fred worked at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN for the next 36 years as Associate Director of the Office of Space Management and Academic Scheduling. During this period he gave generously of his time to various organizations and friends. He was a faithful choir member and trustee at Covenant Presbyterian Church, and served on the Building Committee and Board of the West Lafayette Public Library. A devoted husband and father, he helped his son and daughter deliver papers on their respective routes during particularly frigid mornings. He was a pianist and avid woodworker. Summer vacations were spent in Door County, Wisconsin; fishing, boating, biking, and creating memories that are now cherished by the entire family.

Fred is survived by his loving wife, Carol; daughter, Sherri Wolf Ribera (William); son, Frederick Gregory Wolf (Karen); grandchildren, Ty, Alex, and Leah Grace Wolf, and Nick and Grace Ribera; step-grandchildren, Jaimie and Danielle Ribera; and sister Margaret (Wolf) Haugen. A second daughter, Elizabeth Lou, passed in infancy on Guam.

He will be remembered for his deep love of his family, his generosity, and his kind heart. Fred was laid to rest in the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery with military honors. A Celebration of Life service will be held in the Hope Presbyterian Church chapel, Saturday, January 7 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to The Salvation Army.

The Commercial Appeal --- Memphis, Tennessee
December 7, 2016