R. Dietz Wolfe M.D.

NEW ALBANY - WOLFE, R. DIETZ MD, 96, died Monday, July 12, 2010.

The son of the late Frank C. and Margaret (Dietz) Wolfe, Dr. Wolfe was born May 25, 1914 in New Albany. He graduated from New Albany High School in 1933, wrote a sports column for the New Albany Tribune in 1935, lived and worked in Nicaragua from 1936-1937 then attended Western Kentucky University. Dr. Wolfe earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 1944. He served his country proudly as a captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1945-1948. In 1951, Dr. Wolfe was appointed part-time instructor for the internal medicine program at St. Joseph Infirmary. The former director of physician education at St. Joseph Infirmary and then Audubon Hospital, Dr. Wolfe became a tutor and mentor to several generations of Louisville physicians.

In 1963 he became full-time director of medical education and internal medicine. In 1977 Dr. Wolfe was named the full-time director of continuing medical education, a role he retained even after St. Joseph Infirmary became Audubon Hospital in 1980. He was chosen to receive the 1997-98 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the U of L Alumni Association and another honor was bestowed on him in 1998 when physicians gathered at Audubon Hospital to name the newly refurbished library after Dr. Wolfe, who was one of their favorite teachers. Also in his honor, the Audubon Continuing Medical Education Committee endowed the annual R. Dietz Wolfe Lectureship Series. Dr. Wolfe was the last living relative to have known the famous American author, Thomas Wolfe, who was his uncle. He will be fondly remembered by Dr. P. Patrick Hess, his "oldest friend." In addition to his parents, Dr. Wolfe was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of Tom, Bo and Dietz, Jacqueline (Larkey) Wolfe; his second wife, Doris (Neat) Wolfe; and a son, Tom Wolfe D.D.S.

Survivors include sons, R. Dietz Wolfe Jr. (Alice), Georgetown, IN and Bo Wolfe (BethMarie), Franklin, WV.

A reception in his honor will be held from noon-3 p.m. Saturday at Norton Audubon Hospital's Community Room, Lower Level 2.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to The Thomas Wolfe Society, c/o David Strange, P.O. Box 1146, Bloomington, IN 47402-1146.

Online condolences may be made at www.kraftfuneralservice.net.