Robert R Wolf

Robert R. Wolf died peacefully at home on October 7, 2024, at the age of 99. Bob was born in New York City in 1925, and grew up in Larchmont and New Rochelle, NY. He was the son of Rudolf Wolf and Janet Selig Wolf, and brother of the late James R. Wolf (Delray) of Baltimore, MD. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marie Kohlmeyer Wolf, his sons David, John (Nanette) and James (Nancy), and his two beloved granddaughters, Sophie and Emily Wolf.

A proud World War II veteran, Bob served in the U.S. Army 86th Infantry Division from 1943 until 1946, and saw action in Germany and Austria during the last months of the war in Europe. After V-E Day, his unit was sent to Camp Gruber, OK, to receive additional training for the invasion of Japan, and he was there when the war ended. Orders to go to the Pacific having already been issued to his unit, he served for an additional six months in the Philippines, where he attended the War Crimes Trials in Manila. Bob returned home to complete his studies at Yale University, and moved to New Orleans in 1951, where he worked for J. Aron & Co., Supreme Sugar Co., and Kohlmeyer & Co. In 1974, Bob and his family moved to Washington, DC, where he worked at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Overseas Private Investment Corp. before the family returned to New Orleans in 1984. He served as a board member of the Jewish Endowment Fund and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, and chairman of the Federation’s first Committee on Jewish Education. He also served on the board of directors and as President of Congregation Temple Sinai in 1973-1974.

Bob was a lifelong and avid reader of biography and history, particularly histories of World War II. Extremely proud of his Jewish heritage, Bob completed extensive genealogical research into the Wolf family history in Germany, and in his father’s native country of Holland. Having learned to speak German as a child from his mother and grandmother, he was able to put that knowledge to use during his army service, as a German translator. Beginning in 2002 Bob devoted his time to the National World War II Museum, where he volunteered in many capacities, including as a translator of German documents and manuscripts from the war; and he was proud to be featured in the Museum’s recently opened “Voices from the Front” exhibit.

A funeral service will take place at Temple Sinai on Thursday, October 10, at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin at 10:30 am. Interment in Metairie Cemetery will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the National World War II Museum or Congregation Temple Sinai, New Orleans.