 64, passed away quietly on November 2, 2012 at Select Group Homes, Bradenton after an heroic struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. Rich was born in Elyria, Ohio to the late Mary and Thomas Wolfe and grew up on his family's greenhouse tomato farm, graduating at the top of his class from Brookside High School, Sheffield Village, Ohio as a National Merit Scholar. Rich attended Ohio State University, University of California, Davis and graduated Bachelor of General Studies With Distinction, from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He received his MBA from San Francisco State University and was elected by the University to Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor Society for academic scholars in the study of business. Rich was a Veteran of the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War as an intelligence specialist in the South China Sea arena. He was an accomplished computer scientist and a leading Systems Analyst for Bank of America in San Francisco for over 25 years. Rich was an avid reader, commercial pilot, marathon runner, gifted photographer, inveterate gadget and tool guy, dedicated Habitat for Humanity volunteer and loyal member and part of the Vestry at Saint John's Episcopal Church for many years in Concord , CA. The consummate sailor, he was a member of Berkley Yacht Club. He retired to pursue his lifelong dream of ocean sailing and made many singlehanded cruises from the Caribbean to the States in the open waters of the Atlantic and sailed the world with great joy. It was in St. Maarten in 2000 that he met his wife and soulmate, Sandy. They were married in an Episcopal service by the sea in Sandy's childhood summer home in Ocean City, NJ surrounded by family and friends. They settled in Key Largo until Rich's illness when they moved to Anna Maria Island to be closer to family. Along with his beloved Sandy, Holmes Beach, he is survived by his treasured daughter, Erin Wolfe Rayner, her husband, Tim grandchildren, Rose and Charlie, of Crawley Down, West Sussex, England, Erin's mother, Linda Rotondo and her grandmother, Bert Borngraber of Pinellas Park , FL, and Rich's brother, Jim Wolfe, wife, Anne of Bradenton. Also his loving stepson, Jay Younger and wife, Jennifer and step-grandchildren, Emma, Bennett and Sophie of Washington, DC, trusted cousin and advisor, Nan Lesnick and Mark of Monterey, CA, and dear in-laws, Sally and Roger Parker of Blue Bell, PA, Bill and Marge Schinnerer of Chevy Chase MD, and Janet and Frank Rayner of Crawley Down, UK; and his friends and caregivers at Select Group Homes, Bradenton, who surrounded him with fellowship and love and where donations in his honor will be gratefully accepted to continue their kind care of those in special need. Services, to be announced, will be at Christ Episcopal Church, Bradenton, Rich and Sandy's home Parrish. A Memorial Service to Celebrate Rich's remarkable life will be held at their former home in Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo in February. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in charge. Condolences www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
Published in The Bradenton Herald on November 6, 2012
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