Obituary of Joseph Kane Wolfe

Joseph K. Wolfe, Lifelong Educator, dead at 75 Joseph K. Wolfe, 75, of Herndon, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2013, surrounded by his dear family. Joe was the loving father of Renee (Wolfe) Evans and husband Neil and grandfather of Olivia and Justin Evans, Hull, England. Born in Colon, Panama on January, 25, 1938, Joe was the son of the late Colonel Yale H. and Helen (Kane) Wolfe. An "Army Brat," he attended schools at far flung military posts across the country as well as the United Kingdom. He graduated from Central High School, in Teddington, England, where he excelled in academics and was a member of the track team. He received his Bachelor of Arts in General Science from Providence College in 1959 and earned a Masters in Education from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia in 1977. A proud veteran, Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1961 as part of President Kennedy's order to build up military strength. He served on active duty for two years. His final assignment as a Clerk Typist was with the field artillery regiment stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. His Honorable Discharge Certificate (DD 214) was proudly displayed as an ongoing reminder of the value of personal freedoms we all enjoy thanks to those who serve. For over 35 years, Joe taught Earth Science at the secondary school level across the Fairfax County School System including McLean and Herndon High Schools at the beginning and end of his career respectively. Following his retirement he served as a highly sought-after substitute teacher at schools throughout the county where he is loved and admired by generations of students. You couldn't go anywhere in Herndon with Joe without bumping into former students and seeing their affection and respect for him and his for them. The personification of a lifelong learner, he had a special gift for enticing those around him to share his infectious sense of adventure and aspiration to explore all things in the natural world. In addition to team teaching enrichment summer science institutes in Space Physics, Environment Science, and Remedial Science, he was Department Chairman for 10 years, Science Fair Chairman for 25 years, Chairman of the Science Committee writing team, Science Club and Chess Club advisor, a member of the Interdisciplinary Science Committee and Fairfax County Teachers Association, and a daily communicant at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Herndon, Virginia. Although he was literally in "perpetual motion" during his waking hours, he enjoyed reading, gardening, watching/attending sporting events, cycling, swimming, and dancing. He taught swimming lessons after school for many years at the YMCA (until very recently) and spent summers lifeguarding at both local pools and seaside locations. An exceptional dancer - from polka to waltz to rock 'n roll - Joe had all the right moves. During most summer weekends over the last 20 years he could be found ushering at Wolftrap National Park for the Performing Arts where he could be physically active while enjoying performances he so loved. Joe will be deeply missed by his four brothers and three sisters-in-law, Yale H. Wolfe and wife Donna, Neil C. Wolfe, Philip G. Wolfe and wife Rosemarie, and Edward S. Wolfe and wife Eve; his sister, Christa W. Jessico; many nieces and nephews; and dear friend Carol Merewether. Joe's out-of-state family members would like to offer a special thanks to brother Yale for his strength and love, sister-in-law Donna for her nursing expertise and wonderful heart, and niece Krista and her husband Jim for all their comfort and care. ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends will honor and celebrate Joe's life by gathering at a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 a.m. on October 19, 2013 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Rs, Reston Virginia 21070. Burial will be private, and at the convenience of the family. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, in Joe's honor, memorial contributions be made to the "Alzheimer's Association" National Capital Area Chapter, 3701 Pender Drive, Suite 400 Fairfax, Virginia 22030 or online: http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp.