Roland O. Wolf

Dr. Roland O. Wolf of Abilene died Friday, August 8, 2008 two months shy of his 70th birthday. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Lutheran Church, 1202 South Pioneer Drive, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 15, 2008 at the Clarkesville Cemetery in Clarkesville, Texas. Dr. Wolf was born on October 5, 1938 to Ida Luella and Reverend Gottlieb Friedrich Wolf in Fort Dodge, Iowa and was the youngest of five siblings: Raymond, Juanita, Charles and Patricia. The family relocated to Eagle Lake, Texas when Roland was an infant. As his father pastored in the Texas Hill Country, Roland grew up and graduated from Columbus High School in 1956. He completed a Bachelors of Science at Texas Lutheran College in 1959. Demonstrating an industrious work ethic, Roland worked as a graduate teaching assistant and pursued research at MD Anderson in Houston to support his education simultaneously earning a Masters degree during the early years of medical school. His Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas in 1964 was accompanied by earned membership in Alpha Chi honor society. Following internship at St. Joseph hospital in Forth Worth, Texas and graduation from flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Dr. Wolf joined the 101st Airborne, the Screaming Eagles, out of Fort Campbell Kentucky and served with distinction in 1966-7 as a flight surgeon in the United States Army. His tours of duty took him to Fort Campbell, Kentucky and to Camp Howze, Korea as part of the post-conflict occupation force. On returning from Korea, Roland completed a General Surgery Residency at Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans during the years of 1967-1971. Following General Surgery training, he sub-specialized via a three year residency in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, training under the distinguished Dr. Lewis Blocker, MD. Upon completion of his sub-specialty training, Dr. Wolf established a private practice in Plastic Surgery in Abilene, Texas and worked diligently to serve the community as the sole proprietor of this practice from 1974 to 2002. At the age when most surgeons consider retirement, Dr. Wolf sought additional training in hyperbaric medicine. From 2002 to the present, he served as the Director of the Wound Care Clinic and Hyperbaric Medicine Division at Hendrick Medical Center. Dr. Wolf was a member of numerous professional societies to include: the American Medical Association, the American Board of Surgery, the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the Texas Surgical Society and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Dr. Wolf was recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Wolf is survived by his wife of 25 years Elizabeth Blanton Wolf, his three children from his first marriage to Jan Pittman Haley Wolf: Jonathan Andrew Wolf and his wife Amanda, Dr. MaryAnn Wolf Curl and her husband Erik, and Roland O. Wolf, Junior and his wife April; and his honorary adopted son, Michael A. Johnson and his wife, Cara. He also dearly loved Elizabeth's children from her previous marriage: Pamela Jane Quill and her husband, David and Melissa Sue Millikin and her husband, Hollis. He is survived by thirteen grandchildren: Haley, Tristan, Zane, Liam, Lorelei, Jordan, Jensen, Randall, William, Claire, Joseph, Brianna, Bailey, Gage, as well as thirteen nieces and nephews. Surviving siblings include: Juanita Wolf Rabel and her husband Reverend Vernon Rabel and Patricia Wolf Gill and her husband Hallie. Dr. Wolf is also survived by sisters-in- law, Mrs. Laverne Wolf, Dr. Patricia Blanton and Colonel Theresa Gonzales. He is preceded in death by two brothers: the Reverend Raymond Waldo Wolf and Dr. Charles Edward Wolf as well as his brother-in law, Dr. Charles Rennick Blanton. Dr. Wolf was an avid sportsman and naturalist. He and Elizabeth established somewhat of a game sanctuary on the Gold-n-Wolf Ranch on the outskirts of Abilene. He adored their German Short-Haired Pointers, horses, guinea fowl, wild turkeys and the occasional rabbit. He was known by those closest to him as a gentleman and scholar who was the consummate professional in every sense of the word. Roland's family would like to thank the many loyal patients, friends and family for their love and unwavering support. Memorials may be made in honor of Dr. Wolf to the Hospice of Big Country, 4601 Hartford Street, Abilene, Texas 79605, the American Heart Association, 149 North Willis Street; Suite 10, Abilene, Texas 79603 and / or the American Diabetes Association, P.O Box 11454, Alexandria, Virginia 22312.