Warren Wolf

Warren Walter Wolf, PhD., of New Albany, Ohio, died at the Grant Hospital Trauma Center in Columbus, Ohio, on April 25, 2014, following a fall. He was born in Avella, Penn on December 10, 1941, to Nellie Mae and Warren Walter Wolf, Sr., both deceased. After graduation from Avella High with the 'Class of '59'. In 1963 he earned a BS in ceramic technology from Penn State University, followed by a Ph.D. in ceramic engineering from the OSU in 1968 and an MBA from Xavier University in 1977. During this time, his first wife, Linda Smith, and he had two sons, William and Christopher, now of Cincinnati and Westerville. Professionally, Wolf went on to work for Owens Corning and retired in 2001. During this time he was named VP of OC Science and Technology and later was named Chief Scientist. His career there lasted 33 years during which he acted as senior scientist, and then served in technical management positions in research, engineering, environmental, health science areas. He holds over 15 patents in glass fiber process and composition and received a number of special awards as well as a lifetime achievement award upon retirement. During these years, his second wife, Ruth Vian, now deceased, introduced him to Unitarianism, and the family was expanded by the addition of Ruth's children to include Kathleen Vian, now of Oregon, Toni Vian, now of California, Mark Vian, now of NY State, Corey Vian, now of California, Marty Vian, now of Powell, Ohio. In spite of numerous professional accolades, Warren's most beloved title was father/ stepfather to seven children and grandfather to their children. Since retirement, Wolf continued active involvement in glass and ceramics, serving as President of the American Ceramic Society as well as being on the Advisory Boards of Virginia Tech, Materials Science and Engineering Dept., and the OSU Center for Resilience in the College of Engineering. He has consulted among others, for the US Dept. of Energy on energy efficiency and nuclear waste, the Glass Manufacturing Council where he was an Emeritus member. He served eight years as a U.S. delegate to the International Commission on Glass, chaired the Technical Committee on Biosolubility on Glass. In 1997 he was honored by presenting the Arthur L. Friedberg Lecture at the annual meeting of the American Ceramic Society and in 2003 he received the Greaves-Walker Award from NICE for service in the field. He was a distinguished alumnus of the College of Engineering at OSU and a fellow of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State, of the American Ceramic Society, and the National Institute of Ceramic Engineers. In 2006, he received the Glass Industry's prestigious Phoenix Award, given globally to one individual each year for their achievements and contributions to the glass industry. This award was previously given to Dale Chihuli. More recently, Wolf distinguished himself through heading up several humanistic organizations such as the Humanist Institute, a post graduate organization offering a course of study in humanistic education and credit toward advanced degrees for future humanist leaders. Until his recent and premature death, he was President of the Institute for Humanistic Studies, a 'think tank'. He also served on the nominating committee of the American Humanist Association, and was one of several founders of the Jewish Humanist Chavurah of Columbus, along with his third wife, Linda Whinery Wolf, who survives him. His interests were in the separation of church and state, and in ensuring that there is good science education. He also was interested in bioethics and consciousness studies. Wolf is also survived by his children's spouses, Joan Gish, Jenny Detzel, and Howard Bornstein, Bob Tomlin, Leslie Zucker, Toni Trujillo, Annie Vian; and daughter-in-law, Vicky Wolf; grandchildren include Wesley, Marilena, Spencer, Ruthie, Chilali, Christian, Tiffany, Travis, Elliot, Drew; and great grandchildren, Leilani, Kyliah, Talia, Topaz, and Tonino. Other family members who mourn his passing are Wolf's Uncle and Aunt, George and Mickey Wolf; cousins, Drs. Darlene Millman and John Mignano; sister and brother-in-law, Drs. Cara and Ed Barker and their daughter, Brandy Carroll. Colleagues, friends and family will deeply miss his energy, brilliant mind, generosity and deep desire to make a positive difference to the world in which he lived. He was "a friend of man, a friend of truth" His legacy is vast and his memory for a blessing as we mourn and celebrate his well-lived life. Truly, he "sucked the marrow out of life" and we are all richer for having known and loved him. A Memorial will be held for Dr. Wolf at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus on May 25, Sunday, beginning at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations sent to: THE HUMANIST INSTITUTE, Executive Director Kristin Wintermute at 612-719-9782, THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMANIST STUDIES, Maggie Ardiente, Business mgr., 800-837-3792, THE OHIO ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, Stephen MacConoughey, President, at 614 488-2228, THE OHIO JUNIOR ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, Lee Brogie, Exec Director, lee.brogie@gmail.com Online guestbook at www.cookandsonpallay.com