Richard John DeWolf

Notes:

Mr. DeWolf was a high school mathematics instructor for 31 years in the Modesto City Schools; at Downey High School from 1955-61, and Davis High School from 1961-86.

Mr. DeWolf was the first president of the Stanislaus Math Council, active in the Modesto Teachers Association (serving as representative to the Bay Area Council), and a member of the Sylvan Club, HTWS, and ECV.

He was Scoutmaster for Troop 76 (the BEST troop) from 1966 to 2003, guiding over 80 boys to the rank of Eagle Scout. In 1966, Dick founded the troop's high sierra wilderness camp at Lake Utica, now in its 43rd year. In 1984, he was awarded the Silver Beaver, the BSA's highest honor for distinguished volunteer service.

His special interests included camping, backpacking, and mountaineering in the High Sierra, mountain biking, sailing, and NBA basketball. Dick was a master of the ukulele and campfire songs, and loved telling jokes. He once performed at the Hollywood Bowl, wife Hallie the only spectator in attendance.

Richard John DeWolf was born October 17, 1927 in Oakland, California. He attended the University of California at Berkeley, San Francisco State University, and Reed College in Portland, Oregon, where he earned his Masters Degree in Mathematics.

He married Haldon "Hallie'' Fowler on December 23, 1950 in St. Louis, Missouri while on leave from his service in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood. He was preceded in death by his daughter Janet Hill, is survived by wife Hallie, sons Robert (wife Sharon), Don (wife Suzy), son-in-law David Hill, and grandchildren Brian DeWolf, Joe DeWolf, and Jennifer Hill.

Problem at school? Talk to Mr. DeWolf.

Problem with the parents? Talk to Mr. DeWolf.

Don't know where to turn? Talk to Mr. DeWolf.

Longtime Modesto math teacher and Boy Scout leader Richard DeWolf was the go-to guy for generations of students who needed help -- with just about anything.

"Kids would come to him with a struggle with a teacher, a class or a problem with mom and dad," said longtime friend Bob Sesser. "Dick would say, 'Let's sit down and solve this.' He'd be there for an hour or more talking with them."

DeWolf died Wednesday. He was 80.

He was born in Oakland, and discovered the Boy Scouts when he joined Troop 6 in Berkeley as a youngster. He would have earned the Eagle rank, his wife Hallie said, if he hadn't been stricken with polio. He was shy three badges -- bird-watching, swimming and lifesaving -- of the 21 required.

While attending college at the University of California at Berkeley -- where he met his wife -- he remarked to his Scoutmaster that he didn't know what he wanted to do for a career. The Scoutmaster told him he was a natural with the younger Scouts.

Teaching seemed like a good fit. DeWolf attended San Francisco State University and Reed College in Portland, Ore., where he earned a master's in mathematics.

He taught math at Downey High in Modesto for six years, then moved to Davis High, where he remained a math teacher for 25 years. On the wall of his classroom, he had two pictures: one of Albert Einstein and one of himself.

Ever the math teacher, he planned everything -- even his humor.

"He'd write in his jokes in his lesson plans," his wife said.

DeWolf remained passionate about Scouting, and took over as assistant Scoutmaster, then Scoutmaster, of Modesto's Troop 76, the troop his sons Robert and Don belonged to. He founded the troop's High Sierra wilderness camp at Lake Utica, doing everything from securing Forest Service permits to digging latrines.

He continued as Scoutmaster long after his boys left the troop, and in 1984 was awarded the Silver Beaver, the Scouts' highest honor for volunteer service.

More than 80 boys -- including Don and Robert DeWolf -- received Eagles under his guidance.

"He was the master of working with kids," said Sesser, the troop's assistant Scoutmaster.

DeWolf was a passionate outdoorsman, and counted camping, backpacking and sailing among his hobbies. He played the ukulele, and heartily enjoyed campfire songs.

At school, he was the teacher you go to with just about anything.

"He was very caring, very compassionate," said Louise Alberti, a longtime Davis teacher. "The kids knew that they could go and talk to him."

Another thing DeWolf was known for, at least among his fellow teachers: asking pointed questions to school administrators at faculty meetings.

"He loved to teach," his wife said, "and counsel boys who were having a hard time. He had a knack for helping boys develop into men."

DeWolf is survived by his wife, Hallie; sons Robert and Don; and grandchildren Brian DeWolf, Joe DeWolf and Jennifer Hill. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janet Hill.

A celebration of life for former teacher and Scoutmaster Richard DeWolf will be held at 4 p.m. July 19 at the Sylvan Club, 2545 Sylvan Ave., Modesto. Donations may be sent to The Wilderness Society, Amnesty International or a charity your of choice.

Family/Spouse: Haldon Fowler. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Robert Haines DeWolf
2. Donald Charles DeWolf
3. Janet Elizabeth DeWolf was born on 21 Sep 1958 in CA; died on 26 Mar 2004.

Notes:

Charles Capp DeWolf was a civil engineer from the first graduating class of engineering - then called the School of Mechanics or something like that. He was a classmate of Gordon Sproul- later president of the University of California. I believe UC Berkeley was the only UC campus at the time. In early marriage he worked on mining projects and they spent their honeymoon in a tent. Later he worked on FDRoosevelt inspired New Deal constructions. I think dams.
He was a civil servant and the secretary to the City Manager. He may have been the Asst. City Manger, and he was best known for cleaning up the Civil Service system which at the time of his hire was an old boy network with no entrance criteria but knowing the right person. Grandpa DeWolf created the first Civil Service Exam, according to my father- which may not be accurate. He was well respected for his integrity. Of course he was an Eagle Scout, a tradition in the family and a Boy Scout leader. He was a Mason and active in that organization. He was Presbyterian and Grandma DeWolf was raised Catholic or her mother was. Grandpa DeWolf was know to make negative comments about Catholics and ethnic groups as well. He died of a heart attack.

Charles married Mary Jane McCabe on 01 Mar 1913 in Berkeley, CA. Mary (daughter of Peter Ross McCabe and Coe Celestia Ellis) was born on 02 Nov 1885; died on 18 Sep 1967 in CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

DeWolf Realty Company, Inc. (4330 California Street in San Francisco, CA) was established in 1879 by William Morrison DeWolf. During the first 70 years, Mr. DeWolf, and his son, William Waldo DeWolf, managed, developed and sold properties throughout San Francisco and Northern California.
After World War II, Mr. Oliver A. Talmage joined Mr. DeWolf and soon became a partner and, eventually, sole owner of DeWolf Realty Company, Inc.

William married Mary Eleanor McClure in 1873 in Saint Joseph, Buchanan, MO. Mary (daughter of Joseph Townsend McClure and Elizabeth Chambers Parker) was born on 02 Nov 1853; died on 21 Jul 1940 in Oakland, CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Peter married Coe Celestia Ellis on 02 Oct 1884 in San Francisco, CA. Coe (daughter of Benjamin Franklin Ellis and Alice Phoebe Orton) was born on 20 Oct 1860 in Fort Laramie, WY; died in Jun 1945 in Berkeley. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married Barbara White on 31 May 1832 in Troy, NY. Barbara was born on 6 Nov 1809 in Williamsburg, Hampshire, MA; died on 26 May 1889. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
B. F. DEWOLF Self M Male W 70 CAN Tin Smith MA MA
Barbra DEWOLF Wife M Female W 70 MA Keeps House MA MA
Mary F. DEWOLF Dau S Female W 27 NY At Home CAN MA


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Source Information:
Census Place 2nd Ward, Ottawa, Franklin, Kansas
Family History Library Film 1254381
NA Film Number T9-0381
Page Number 107A

Joseph married Elizabeth Chambers Parker. Elizabeth (daughter of Richard Parker and Eleanor H. Chambers) was born in 1832 in OH. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Edward married Catharine Greenan in 1854 in Abington, MA. Catharine (daughter of John Greenan and Ann Donahue) was born on 12 Jul 1832 in County Cavan, Ireland; died on 30 May 1901 in Modesto, CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married Alice Phoebe Orton on 20 Dec 1859 in Anoka, MN. Alice (daughter of Nathan Greene Orton and Margaret McCann) was born on 28 Aug 1838 in Quebec, Canada; died in Dec 1906 in Berkeley, CA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]