Leonard Ludovic Wolf was born to Joseph and Rose Wolf in Vulcan, Rumania. His father emigrated to America when Leonard was six months old. Leonard, his mother, and a brother then joined Joseph in the U.S. in 1930. His sister Shirly was born in this country.

Leonard attended public schools in Cleveland, Ohio and learned English quickly, already writing poetry in his teens. He was enrolled at Ohio University when World War II began but left to join in the US Army. After serving with the field artillery and working in the medical corps, he was honorably discharged in 1944.

He then married Patricia Evans, moved to Carmel, California, and became part of the 'Berkeley Renaissance' during the late 40s and 50s along with Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Allen Ginsburg. He earned his PhD in English and Creative Writing from the University of Iowa.

After his divorce, Leonard married Deborah Goleman, who remained his bride for 58 years. They traveled extensively, taking up residence in San Francisco, Iran, southern France and New York City, and finally Corvallis, Oregon.

Leonard taught English literature at a number of colleges, including St. Mary's College of California and San Francisco State University. He was awarded the James Phelan Poetry Prize, and an O. Henry fiction award, and twice received the Anne Radcliffe Award for Literature. He wrote 27 books in his lifetime, including The Annotated Dracula, The False Messiah, The Passion of Israel, and two books of his own poetry. He was regarded as one of the finest English translators of Yiddish literature. He was particularly proud of his translation of "Winnie the Pooh" from English to Yiddish. Additionally, his daughter Naomi Wolf wrote "The Treehouse", a book largely based on Leonard's life teachings.

In 1967, while teaching at SF State, Leonard founded Happening House, a free university in the Haight-Ashbury District that encouraged student drop-outs to complete college.

Leonard's career took him all over the world. He lived and worked in Iran, Jerusalem, NYC, and San Francisco. He was an avid photographer, traveler, and equestrian and was an extensive collector of antique artifacts.

Leonard is survived by his wife Deborah, children Julius Geopp, Sarah, Aaron, and Naomi Wolf, and grandchildren Yardena and Eitan Wolf and Rosa and Joseph Shipley.

The family expresses deep gratitude to Amy Zhang and Lumina Hospice for caring for Leonard during his last years.
McHenry Funeral Home handled services.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Mar. 29 to Mar. 30, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Leonard Wolf

9 Entries

Ricky Zurif

December 20, 2023

I took his Chaucer class as a graduate student in 1967 at SF State and it was a wonderful course. He was a charming charismatic teacher, inspiring and kind.
Ricky Zurif

Teresa Kennett

April 19, 2021

Dr. Leonard Wolf changed the course of my studies and my life. As an undergraduate majoring in Psychology at SFSU, and a writer of poetry, I had the opportunity to take his course in Chaucer as an elective. Dr. Wolf's passion for languages, Middle English, The Canterbury Tales, and poetry was contagious. In that class, at his recommendation, we researched the meanings of our given names, finding compelling clues to our destinies. My name, which means to me that I am a gatherer of knowing and meaning, has been a true beacon to me ever since. The next semester I took his poetry writing class. Dr. Wolf was a wonderful mentor. He encouraged my writing and with his support, I entered the Master's Program in Creative Writing. I will never forget him and am forever grateful for having known him for a brief but very formative time in my life.

Christine Mattsson Berkeley CA

June 12, 2020

I met Leonard in 1995 in China. We participated together in a trip to the Tibetian Plateau where we rode horses for 10 days with a group of eight fellow travelers. Riding horses was a new thing for Leonard and exemplified his love of learning new things. He taught me one of my most important lessons - to not assume that my way of living life was better or right for someone else. I was in my early thirties with much to learn about life. I think often of the night that he pointed out the fallacy in my thinking. I deeply appreciate this experience with him and his life fully lived. To the family I am so sorry he is no longer here on earth to continue his teaching. He was a great man. I am fortunate to have spent three weeks in his company.

Gregory Alonzo

August 25, 2019

I have fond memories of his courses on "Dracula" and "Frankenstein" that I took at SFSU back in the mid '70s. He was a great teacher. I was always impressed by his obvious erudition and passion for the Shelley and Stoker masterpieces. I remember him chastising me, the "poli sci major," for using the trite term "input"! He was gentle about it, however. My condolences to his family and friends. R.I.P., Professor Wolf.

Tim Cleary

May 28, 2019

I met Leonard while taking an Oxford-style tutorial in non-Chaucerian Middle English from his office mate, Dan Knapp. This was at San Francisco State University while taking my M.A. in English c. 1970. Both taught Chaucer and I got the benefit of both of them critiquing my weekly paper while offering up wise insights into the author of the day under consideration. With his still dark features and arresting delivery, Leonard was a memorable raconteur. Great times.

David Rollison

April 4, 2019

I worked for Leonard as his student assistant and then graduate assistant in '65,'66,and '67. I learned many valuable things from him, including the value of a life of the mind, a life of integrity, a life centered around a great love, a love of language, and the meaning of dignity. 96 years--a beautiful life. Thank you.

April 1, 2019

I knew Leonard was a brilliant and prolific author, but had no idea how many awards he had won. I believe we last met when I was still in school, and his children were quite small. I am sorry I didn't get to know him better.
My condolences on your loss.

Geoffery Engel, M.D.

Connie Segal

April 1, 2019

I have fond memories of your dad at Beth Shalom from when we were kids. He was a great man! Sending you all much love on this sad occasion.

Anita Velazquez

March 31, 2019

Dr. Wolf was the finest teacher I ever had the good fortune to know. I have thought of him often over the years and am so grateful for the encouragement he gave me as his student. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. He was a warm and wise man, and there will never be another like him.

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results