Edwin D. Wolf

1927 - 2016

Edwin D. (Ted) Wolf

February 18, 1927 - July 15, 2016

Chapel Hill

Edwin Deforest (Ted) Wolf died peacefully at his home in Chapel Hill on July 15th, surrounded by his family, who will miss him immeasurably.

Ted was born in Englewood, New Jersey, to Elizabeth Van Zelm and Edwin D. Burdick. By his account, he grew up largely unsupervised in New York City, in the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan. At 17, he enlisted in the Navy, serving two years in Europe and stateside. Postwar, he earned a B.S. from New York University in 1950 and an M.S. from Columbia University's Graduate School of Business in 1955. Ted began his career as a data-processing manager with Marsh & McLennan in 1950. He joined Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (later KPMG) in 1957 and retired in 1985 as partner-in-charge of international computer systems.

In 1953 Ted married Cheryl Hargrove (a native North Carolinian) at the Little Church Around the Corner in Manhattan. They raised Stephen, Merrill and Melanie in Philadelphia, Atlanta and New York and retired to Chapel Hill in 1985. Shortly after retirement, Ted served for three years as Executive-in-Residence at Duke's Fuqua School of Business, before focusing on golfing and traveling with Cheryl. They moved to The Cedars of Chapel Hill in 2004.

In addition to his business achievements, Ted supported a wide range of civic and social groups and causes. Organizations whose boards he led or served on include the National Mental Health Association, NYU Alumni Federation, Triangle Hospice and University Presbyterian Church.

After Cheryl's death in 2006, and despite significant health challenges in later years, Ted made the most of living at The Cedars. He organized and participated in many activities and committees, never hesitating to share his wit and wisdom (solicited or not). He especially enjoyed organizing a Spanish class, a Wii bowling league, and a much-in-demand Great Decisions discussion course. As one of The Cedars' first residents, he took pride in helping shape the community and might be surprised to see it still running without him.

Ted was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, always encouraging them in their educations and careers, and in pursuing their interests and passions. He passed on to them a love of The New Yorker, lox and bagels, fine wine and stinky cheese, and liberal politics. He always kept up with and opined on current events, and took great pleasure recently in sporting a "Bernie" sticker on the back of his motorized wheelchair.

Ted's acerbic wit sometimes masked his kind nature. He developed special friendships with many Cedars staff, for example, asking about and encouraging them in their educational and professional ambitions, and he was a champion of The Cedars' employee scholarship and appreciation funds.

Ted is survived by three children and their families, including three cherished granddaughters: Stephen, of Los Angeles, and his wife, Adrian Lee; Merrill, of Carrboro, and her daughter, Chandra Noyes; and Melanie, of Clemmons, and her husband, Buddy Hine, and daughters, Katherine and Hannah Flippin. He also leaves behind many friends, especially at The Cedars, in particular Marjorie White.

Ted's friends will wish him a fond farewell and bon voyage at a private reception later this month. His ashes will be interred with Cheryl's at the memorial garden at University Presbyterian Church. Ted's family thanks the staff of The Cedars, UNC Hospitals and UNC Hospice for their care. Memorial contributions may be made to UNC Hospice.