Richard A Wolf

Richard Arthur Wolf was born April 9th 1926 in a tiny town called Whitlow California to Carl and Ella Wolf. He was the seventh of eight children. He was born during the Great Depression and learned to appreciate life in its simplest form Richard was raised on a Northern California farm and enjoyed a humble but happy childhood. He was close to his brothers Carl Jr., Albert and John and sisters Kathryn, Grace, Virginia and Mathilda.

When Richard was 18, he left home to enlist in the Navy. World War II was well under way, but Richard followed his brother Albert into the military to protect the nation he loved so fervently. He enlisted around Christmas time, and according to his journals on December 24th “Getting over sea sickness doesn’t seem like X-mas eve at all.”

After serving his time in the Navy, Richard moved to San Francisco and met a fellow former soldier who would later become his life long friend. Roger Kolda and Richard met at Sally’s Boarding House a week before Christmas in 1946. They shared a friendship for over sixty years. Sadly, they both lost their beloved wives a year apart from each other. The last seventeen years Richard and Roger have been great companions to each other.

Richard worked as a Conductor for the San Francisco cable cars for a time after his honorable discharge from the Navy. Soon after, he started a job for the post office. Richard worked for the Post Office until he retired. After Richard retired from the post office, he took a job with Santa Clara County. He ended up retiring with the county also. Richard believed in hard work and an honest living.

Richard met his future wife while visiting the furniture store Eva worked at. According to his friend Roger, “the next thing I knew I got a call from Dick saying he’s getting married.” He married Eva on August 13th 1961. Richard went from a single man of thirty-five to a married father of three children (Ron, Barbie and Doug) in the blink of an eye. Eva and Richard didn’t waste anytime completing their happy family with the addition of their son Brad. Brad was born on September 2nd 1962. Richard and Eva were devoted to Brad and Brad to them.

Richard and Eva spent many happy years together collecting rental properties. They became beloved landlords who cared for hundreds of tenants. Their renters became part of their family, and many rented from Richard for over twenty years. Richard had great compassion for his tenants and often would help them out by buying them groceries or driving them on any errands they might have.

Richard was a Deacon at Immanuel Presbyterian Church. He could always be counted on to help usher or lead a prayer group. He was known in his congregation as “everyone’s angel.’’ He was devoted to his church and he lived his life devoted to God.

Richard loved his family. He had a big family that enjoyed every minute they had with him. He loved his four grandchildren (Samantha, Tom, Aaron and Charles) and got a huge kick out of his seven Great Grandchildren (TJ, Reina, Givonni, Adam, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Martha). His great grand children helped keep him young.

Richard was surrounded by the people that loved him when he left this world to journey on to his next life. The “life” that he knew was waiting for him.

Arrangements under the direction of Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, Santa Clara, CA.