Description:
Born in May 1920 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Edgar Wolf, Jr. grew up in a vibrant household steeped in cultural and religious diversity. Raised in a historic brownstone alongside his grandparents, Wolf was influenced by his grandfather, a prominent surgeon and early radio enthusiast, and his father, a theatrical manager who helped develop Philadelphia’s Mastbaum Theatre.
Wolf attended Central High School, earning a degree in mechanical arts, which laid the foundation for his lifelong interest in engineering and mechanics. He began his career as an apprentice at Westcott & Thomson, a family-owned typesetting business, before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
During World War II, Wolf trained as an aircraft mechanic and excelled in specialized programs. He became a P-38 fighter aircraft specialist and later served as an aircraft maintenance officer in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater. His service included overseeing refueling operations, managing transient aircraft, and improvising critical repairs under challenging conditions.
After the war, Wolf returned to civilian life, briefly resuming his apprenticeship before transitioning into sales and management roles. He worked for Everybody’s Supply Company and later joined Aisenstein & Gordon, where he thrived as a sales manager, retiring in 1985.
Wolf’s civic engagement was equally impactful. He helped establish Cherry Hill’s Cultural Arts Advisory Board and played a key role in founding Croft Farm, a local arts center. He served as a Cherry Hill councilman and was active in veterans’ affairs, particularly with the CBI Veterans Association. He also volunteered with Samaritan Hospice and advocated for veterans’ access to healthcare and benefits.
The Rutgers Oral History Archives received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State. In the 2024-2025 cycle, this grant assisted the ROHA staff in making this oral history available to you for your use.