October 13, 1936 – February 8, 2025

Richard L. Wolf, a lifelong student, educator, coach and athlete, passed away peacefully at the Collier Hospice Center in Wheat Ridge on Saturday, February 8th, 2025. The son of Clara Wolf and Charles Simpson, he was born on October 13, 1936 in Colby, Kansas where he was raised by his grandparents.

Dick graduated from Colby Community High School in 1954, and went on to attend Fort Hays Kansas State College where he earned a BS degree in Physical Education (1960) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964. During his college years, he also served for eight years in the US Army National Guard. Rounding out his education, Dick went on to earn a Master of Arts degree at the University of Colorado in 1972.

Dick began his teaching career in his hometown, teaching English at Colby Junior High for two years beginning in 1961. He moved to Colorado in the fall of 1964 where he taught English, Spanish and drama for two years at Akron High School, and served as the assistant wrestling coach. He then taught for three years at Antilles High School in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After taking classes at the University of Colorado in Boulder for a year, Dick moved to Granby, Colorado where he retired in 1991 after teaching and coaching wrestling for 20 years at Middle Park High School.

After his first retirement, Dick moved to Westminster, Colorado where he mixed enjoying a variety of recreational activities with taking more classes at the University of Colorado. He then moved back to Kansas and returned to education, spending another 11 years teaching Spanish at Dodge City High School. After retiring for a second time, Dick moved to Loveland, Colorado in 2006.

Dick enjoyed many athletic pursuits over the years. He played basketball in school, and coached high school wrestling teams. He was also an avid golfer, giving lessons at the Grand Lake Golf Course during his time in the mountains. He took up running in the early 70s, competing annually in a variety of 5K and 10K runs – and finally crossed running a marathon off his “bucket list” in 1986 when he completed the Rawhide Marathon in Fort Collins. He was also very skilled at bowling, and continued to lift weights on a regular basis until well into his 80s. In addition, Dick enjoyed spectator sports, and for several years had season tickets to watch the CU football and women’s basketball teams.

Dick was never married and had no children. He was preceded in death by a half-sister, Caroline Catlett and half-brother, Lee Catlett. In a final act of giving, Dick made an anatomical donation of his body to further scientific research. Contributions may be made in his memory to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. For information, please contact advancement@cuanschutz.edu.