Howard Lee Wolf of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away in his sleep July 8th, 2013 after a heroic battle with C.O.P.D. He was 78.

He was born on October 26, 1934 to Golden Howard and Lorene (Gunderson) Wolf and raised on a farm in Dallas Township, Missouri. Howard was baptized and was an active member of the Bethel Methodist Church. He began his elementary school education in a one-room school in Hebron and finished his high school education in Maysville where he graduated with honors. Along with music and a variety of sports activities, he was very active in the Busy Bee 4-H program.

His love of adventure and learning started early in his life. While participating in 4-H, he won a trip to Chicago and was interviewed by a well-known Chicago radio announcer. He would spend time up in the barn loft reading Jack London and was fascinated by the West, which led him to his next adventure…

Howard, a cum laude graduate of University of Missouri, majored in forestry and spent his entire professional career working in the industry. During college he had an opportunity to attend smoke jumpers school in Missoula, Montana and was still attending reunions in McCloud, Idaho until his health prohibited him from traveling. After college, he traveled west and started his career with the U.S. Forest Service in the Willamette National Forest, Oakridge, Oregon and ended his career with Mitsui in Tacoma, Washington.

He met Joanne Florea while working at Publisher’s Paper and was immediately struck by the brunette who was not only intelligent and funny, but also caring. They married on September 7, 1967 in Portland, Oregon.

He will be very much missed by his family, including his sons and daughters: Yvonne Rosanne Wolf and her husband Michael Morris, Eric John Wolf, Kimberly Rose Goetz, Christopher Golden Wolf, as well as his younger sister Martie (Martha) Brown and brother-in-law Gary, grandchildren Alexander Garcia, Issac Goetz, Simon Goetz, Virtue Goetz and several nieces and nephews. Howard was preceded in death by his parents as well as his much beloved son, Leif.

Wherever Howard went, and he went many places (from former Yugoslavia to Argentina to Honduras), he became friends with all that he met. If you were planning a trip, he would pull out his rolodex and offer a name and phone number of someone he befriended while on his travels.

For to meet Howard, it was an adventure and a honor. There was not a road not taken, nor a friend not made. Besides his huge heart, our lasting memories of him will be his decency, love of family, and that twinkle in his blue-grey eyes. We will see you again Howard, if God is willing and the creeks don’t rise.

Memorial service will be held at a later date. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, a donation in Howard’s name be made to his alma mater, University of Missouri (giving.missouri.edu/). The family also asks that if you have a favorite story to share about Howard, to please email story to [email protected].

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.