John Frederick Wolfe

1943 - 2016

Wolfe John Frederick Wolfe, age 72, of Columbus, died Friday, June 24, 2016 at The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University. Born Aug. 7, 1943 to Preston and Jean Bostwick Wolfe. Graduate of The Columbus Academy (1961) and Washington and Lee University (1965, B.S., Business). Married to Ann Isaly Wolfe for more than 50 years. Father of three daughters, Sara Wolfe (Michael) Perrini, Rita J. Wolfe, and Katie Wolfe (Clark) Lloyd; grandfather of five, Christopher, Abigail and John Preston Perrini, and Jack and Teddy Lloyd. Also survived by sister, Nancy Wolfe Lane. After graduation from college, John joined The Dispatch Printing Company, learning the family business from the ground up. He worked in several departments, including business and labor relations. Elected company president in 1973. Elected publisher of The Columbus Dispatch in 1975, serving until June 2015. Elected chief executive officer of The Dispatch Printing Company in 1975. Elected Chairman of the Board of The Dispatch Printing Company in 1994. He also served as chairman of The Ohio Company (1994-98), WBNS-TV Inc., VideoIndiana, Agricultural Lands Inc., RadiOhio Inc., Wolfe Associates Inc. and Wolfe Enterprises Inc. During his career, John served on the boards of more than 20 business, civic, educational and philanthropic organizations whose goals are to improve the quality of life in central Ohio. These included The Columbus Academy (1971-77), Franklin University (1975-84), Columbus School for Girls (1977-85), Columbus Chamber of Commerce (1981-93), The Ohio State University "Affirm Thy Friendship" Campaign (co-chair, 1995-2000), The Columbus Foundation (1992-2000), COSI's Building Development Corp. (1995-2003), Franklin County Board of Parks and Recreation (1976-2005), The Ohio State University Foundation (1997-2006), the Wexner Center Foundation (1990-2016), the Columbus Downtown Development Corp. (2002-2016), the Columbus Partnership (2002-2016), the John Glenn College of Public Affairs (2005-2016), and the Wexner Medical Center (2013-2016). He was chairman of AmeriFlora '92, the international horticultural exhibition that ran from April through October of 1992 at Franklin Park. Since then, John took special interest in helping the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens develop into a national leader. He took great satisfaction from helping, and witnessing, other leading community assets achieve national distinction: The Ohio State University, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Columbus Metropolitan Library, the Columbus Zoo, the Wexner Medical Center and many others. John served as chairman of the building committee for the new, 12-story Nationwide Children's Hospital that opened in June 2012. He was the recipient of numerous honors, including public service awards from the FBI, the Ohio Newspaper Association, the Ohio Hospital Association, and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Franklin University, Otterbein College and The Ohio State University, where he delivered the commencement address in September, 1999. As publisher of The Dispatch, he vigorously upheld the First Amendment principles of open and accountable government, high ethical standards for government officials, and accessibility to public records and public meetings. John was ever grateful for the opportunities he had to work with others to improve our city and region, and to those who provided him special help along the way. On his behalf, the Wolfe family extends special thanks to Becky Hoover, his executive assistant for 27 years, and to Martina Bernard, long-time family friend and assistant. In addition, the family is thankful for the expert and compassionate medical care and comfort provided by Dr. Andrew M. Thomas, Dr. Richard Goldberg and their associates at the Wexner Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital. The family will receive friends on Wednesday June 29, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. at the Columbus Club, 181 E Broad St. There will be a celebration of his life on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 6 p.m. at the Southern Theatre, 21 E Main St. There will be a private interment. Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN CHAPEL, 229 E State St. Columbus, OH 43215. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be sent to Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 16810, Columbus, Ohio 43216-6810, or The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, 660 Ackerman Rd., 6th Floor, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, Ohio 43218-3112. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a memory of Mr. Wolfe.