Obituary of Albert Wolf

Albert Allen Wolf Dr. Wolf, 73, of Charlotte, passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2008, as the result of a brain tumor. He leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Alston Osgood Wolf, and four children, Katherine Flinn Wolf Roche (Kathy) and husband Patrick, Albert Allen Wolf Jr. (Bert) and wife Karen, Geneva Wolf Bosak (Genny) and husband John, and Cary Anne Melton (Cary Anne) and husband Joe; his two stepchildren, Mary Alston Kirk and Chisolm Frost Woodson; ten grandchildren, William Patrick Roche, Anna Katherine Roche, Matthew Cary Roche, Monroe Anita Wolf, Elise Welty Wolf, Paul Edwin Wolf, Stephanie Anne Bosak, Colleen Elise Bosak, Claire Elizabeth Melton and Jenna Hamrick Melton; two step-grandsons, Nathanial Oliver Smith and William McKay Smith; one sister, Anita Wolf Plummer and husband James; and two brothers, Paul Frederick Wolf and wife Joyce, and Sherrill Tippit Wolf and wife Linda. He is also survived by his first wife, Cary Wolf Johnston. Allen was born on Labor Day in Nashville, TN on September 2, 1935, to the late Joseph Frederick Wolf and Geneva Tippit Wolf. He attended Peabody University in Nashville for one year before transferring to Vanderbilt University and graduating in 1958 with a B.S. in physics, cum laude. He earned his Master's degree there in 1960. After a few years in the workforce, he attended Georgia Tech's graduate school and received his Ph.D. in physics in 1966. He accepted a teaching position at Davidson College that same year, became chair of the physics department in 1982, and retired in 1991. He then started his own business, 'Computer Tutor,' and also worked as a consultant for the Electrical Power Research Institute. Allen was known for his quick, dry wit and his love of wordplay. He regularly completed the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzles (in ink) in record time. He was masterful with young children, who appreciated his ready smiles and willingness to be silly. He could find a song to match or contrast with any mood or moment. He was always open to new adventures and despite the fact that he had no horsemanship experience until his mid-40s, he became an accomplished equestrian and Master of Foxhounds for Mecklenburg Hounds in the late 1980s. He developed his bridge game over many years, competing with his wife in bridge tournaments at all levels reaching the rank of Life Master. He and Alston cheered on the Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte Sting and Charlotte Bobcats for many seasons. Allen and Alston enjoyed the arts and were patrons of many local arts and theater organizations. Allen also especially enjoyed traveling with Alston on the grand steamboats of the Mississippi and surrounding rivers for over nineteen years, skiing at Sugar Mountain, and sailing his small boat on Lake Norman. He had a natural ongoing curiosity about the world around him, and he was always well versed on the latest scientific discoveries or international events, thanks in part to his avid reading of The Economist and Nature magazines, as well as The New York Times. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 15th at 10 a.m., at Davidson College Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Main Street, Davidson, NC. The family will receive friends on Friday, November 14th from 6 to 8 p.m., at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Home at 1111 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC. The family requests that you add your comments to the memory book which can be found on-line at Hankins and Whittington's website, hankinsandwhittington.com. A large thank you to Amanda Powell's company, 'Hand on Hand Care' for the kind help they provided, as well as to Presbyterian Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. A. Allen Wolf Fund, Davidson College, P.O. Box 7174, Davidson, NC 28035-7174 or Presbyterian Hospice and Palliative Care, P.O. Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233-3549. Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. Online at www.hankinsandwhittington.com