William Martin Wolff Jr. ’52

Five horrific months after surgery to replace an aortic valve, Bill died of heart failure Sept. 3, 2005. He suffered a stroke a week after surgery, followed by pancreatitis and a staph infection surrounding the new valve. His requiem was in his parish church, St. Clement's-by-the Sea, in which an alternative verse for the submarine corps was added to the Navy hymn. His ashes were committed to the sea off Dana Point, Calif., with family and friends in Bill's 38-foot trawler, the Scrimshaw.

Commissioned an ensign at graduation, Bill married his beloved Robbie in 1952 and joined the USS Radford in Pearl Harbor. Following his transfer to submarine service, he was accepted for nuclear training under Admiral Hyman G. Rickover. He completed a brilliant naval career as a captain, having command of USNCOS sub groups, including command of the USS Whale. In this latter command he planned and executed the trip on which the USS Whale surfaced through the polar ice at the North Pole April 6, 1969.

Bill's life was testament to his watchwords: husband, father, and sailor. He is survived by his loving Robbie; sons William, Douglas, and Robert; five grandchildren; and a great-grandson. To them, the class extends deepest sympathy.

The Class of 1952