Adolf Wolf

Adolf Wolf passed away on April 21, 2023, at the age of 88 years old. Adolf was born on December 16, 1934, in Endersdorf Czechoslovakia, to Franz and Ana Wolf. He was the youngest of 3 siblings. Both siblings pre-deceased him. Ana Ripka (2014) and Herbert Wolf (2016).

His family arrived in America on the Queen Elizabeth I in March 1954. He was sponsored by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and settled initially in Independence Missouri where he met and married his wife, Wanatta Carol Wolf. They were married for 48 years, prior to her death in 2006. Both of our parents were musicians. Adolf played violin and Carol played viola. Both played in the Kansas City Symphony as adults.

He is survived by his 2 children Daniel Herbert Wolf, Holland, MI, and Lilli Ann Wolf- Gouveia, Galax, VA. Their spouses are Susan Wolf and Joe Gouveia, respectively. He is survived by his 2 grandchildren, David Wolf; Sarah Wolf and her husband Colin Stevens.

His wife, Carol owned Sea Wolf Charters, for several years, where she had the largest fleet of boats in the Great Lakes area, including their beloved 45’ Fuji sailboat, Gypsy. Adolf had several smaller sailboats before the Gypsy and sailed the Great Lakes 40 years, during the Michigan summers, with his family and friends. He was a member of Bay Haven and Anchorage Marina Yacht clubs. He was an active member and a Commodore at Anchorage Marina. He was a dedicated member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

He served in the United States Army, 1957-1960 as a paratrooper and radio/communications specialist. He became a Naturalized American Citizen in 1959.

He earned his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from University of Kansas, in Lawrence Kansas. He later earned an Engineering Certificate from Michigan State University. His professional career spanned from many engineering positions with several different companies, eventually owning his own business as Forensic Engineer.

His first professional Engineering position was at Whirlpool in St. Joseph, MI. He has a patent for the auto-shut-off switch that stops rotation of the washer drum when the washing machine lid is opened.

He later became Chief Engineer at Lear Siegler. He wrote ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards which are adopted and in use today. He also became an expert witness in litigation court proceedings for this company.

He later worked at Steelcase, as an Engineer in their approval office, on Lighting Systems, approving lighting systems and electrical systems, in large buildings and businesses. This allowed him to travel across the country, working with city officials and building managers.

He was proud about a report, he had written at the time of the 1972 fuel crisis. His report and findings were on total efficiency on fuel fired appliances. He was asked to present his findings, as part of a panel discussion, at the Kennedy Center for a group of his engineer peers. He later was invited to the White House, where he was in attendance with President Gerald R. Ford’s Energy Advisor, Sam Tuthill, speaking on the importance of energy efficiency and industry cooperation.

He later began his own business, partnering with Dan McVickar, a longtime friend, and started Wolf and McVickar Consulting Engineers in 1978. Adolf then proceeded in his career as Forensic Engineer, determining many disasters, whether it was a product failure, arson, accidental, structural or machine malfunction. His company had solved thousands of cases and helped as many people as a result. He continued to work, for about 40 years, into semi-retirement, until about 8-9 years ago.

During retirement, he was active, and enjoyed exercising at Evergreen Commons. He would visit and have lunch there with his friends. He enjoyed having a drink with friends at the Itty Bitty Bar and Grill and Kelly's Bar and Grill.

We love you and will miss you DAD.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Reformed Church, Harbor Humane Society or Solid Rock Ministries.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, May 2, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Dykstra Funeral Home - Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland. A funeral funeral ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 3, at 11:00am at the Mulder Chapel. Pastor Louis Ford presiding. A private entombment service will be held in Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Holland.

Funeral arrangements are under the auspices of the Mulder Chapel.