Victor Volland

1934 - 2024

Victor Hugo Volland, Jr., age 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 17 at his current residence at Allegro Assisted Living. Vic, as he was affectionately known by his family, friends, and even his grandchildren, remained his playful, young at heart, and sentimental self to the very end. He loved staying up late watching old classic movies, swaying to Big Band or jazz, cooking his famous fisherman's spaghetti and drinking copious amounts of Coca Cola with no ice and a slice of lemon - all favorite pastimes since he was a boy. Even his favorite dessert of cherry pie never wavered and earned him the nickname of Cherry Pie Volland.

Vic was born to Mary Collum Volland and Victor Hugo Volland, Sr. on December 9, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a little brother to Barbara, Laurie, and Gretchen, and a big brother to Michael and Steven. He attended local Catholic schools and graduated from St. Louis University High School. Later, he served two years in the U.S. army (largely in part to get the GI Bill to pay for college) and as luck would have it he was stationed in Germany where he developed a lifelong love of travel.

While stationed in Germany, Vic wrote long, detailed letters back home and his writing so impressed his parents they showed them to an editor friend at the St. Louis Post Dispatch. So when Vic returned from overseas he enrolled at St. Louis University on the dime of the U.S. Army and majored in English hoping to get a job at the paper. During his senior year Vic met the love of his life, Paula, in a Chaucer class. Paula was so impressed with Vic's insight into The Canterbury Tales that she agreed to go on a date with him. Little did she know that Vic had taken the same class at Harvard over the summer and failed it! Call it luck or blessings from above, Vic got the girl and the job.

Vic and Paula were happily married for 54 years until Paula passed away in 2014. They were blessed with five children: Maria Volland Wirthlin (Kevin), Victoria Volland Carmona (Juan), John Paul Volland (Anne), Christopher Volland, and Francesca Volland Sims (Hamilton) and a platoon of 17 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Vic enjoyed a long career at the St. Louis Post Dispatch as a reporter, editor, and occasional reviewer of movies, plays, and music for 43 years. Some of his most memorable assignments were interviewing Frank Capra and Tennessee Williams.

Vic was happiest when he was traveling with his wife and family, or planning a trip which he seemed to enjoy just as much as the travel itself. In 1973 Vic and Paula planned a 7 month odyssey to Europe taking 5 children, the youngest of whom was only one year old. He kept his job at the Post by submitting articles and photos of his adventure. At age 84 he fulfilled a dream of returning to Italy with all five of his children. It was a magical trip for everyone, but especially Vic was in his element and he didn't want to leave!

Vic will be remembered lovingly by his big family and many friends for his kindness, generosity, and playful spirit. As borrowed from the title of one of his favorite movies, he had a wonderful life.

Funeral service to be held on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints Church in University City.