Obituary for Robert Vollmuth
On June 13th, Robert ‘Bob’ Vollmuth passed away in much the same way he lived his life, with courage, acceptance, and humor. He was 96 years young and ever sharp right to the end, sharing memories, reassuring his loved ones, and making final requests. A Christmas tree, a football game on TV, a last sip of Merlot; all were dutifully fulfilled as he prepared for his next journey. He was right where he wanted to be, in his own home he’d been in for nearly 60 years, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Newark, NJ to Lawrence and Adele (Stephenson) Vollmuth and grew up in Union, NJ with three brothers: Larry, Al, and Richard, all of whom predeceased him. He was married to the love of his life, Florence (Wolfe) for 58 years until her passing in 2006. They had graduated in the same class at Union High School, and reconnected after Bob returned home from WWII. Robert first served in the Army 11th Airborne and was in flight training at Norwich University when he was abruptly shifted to the 8th Armored Division when more ground troops were needed in Western Europe. His Division marched into Germany following the Battle of the Bulge where he served as an interpreter and a runner. Just two months before Germany surrendered, in March 1945, his Company’s bunker was shelled and he was badly wounded, returned home and was awarded a Purple Heart. The lasting impact of his military service was altogether clear when he recited his serial number from his dog tags the morning of his death.
Robert graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Ceramic Engineering and was a member of the Keramos Honorary Ceramic Fraternity. He then held various positions with Walter Kidde and Lenox Corporation, while raising a young family in Livingston, NJ. He moved the family to Medfield in 1963 to accept a position with RCA as VP of Manufacturing, where he helped design one of the first ceramic computer memory cores. Bob, however, could see the rapidly changing trends in technology and decided to change course.
Taking a leap of faith, he ventured into a career in Real Estate and he always said it was the best decision he made. He owned and operated DeWolfe Real Estate in Medfield for many years and said his greatest satisfaction was finding a young couple their very first home. He co-founded M.E.M.O. (Medfield Employer and Merchants Organization) in 1979, and the first “Medfield Day” the following year. He was also a member of the Lions Club and Post 110 of the American Legion. He finally retired in 1995.
In retirement, he enjoyed playing more golf as a longtime member of Walpole Country Club. Bob and Flo enjoyed some traveling, watching Red Sox and Pats games, and their monthly jaunts to Foxwoods. After Flo passed, Bob was always up for an adventure and trying new things. Despite his challenges with both vision and hearing loss, he always found ways to adapt and make the most of life. Bob enjoyed taking trips with the Council on Aging, a bus trip with St. Edwards to Nashville, a Bermuda cruise with an old Rutgers buddy, a trip along the California coast with a detour to Tijuana, a family trip to Denver for a Patriots game, Sunday morning breakfasts at the Sportsman’s Club, the annual “Blues Fest” in Maine where he bought his first tie-dye shirt. Bob was ready to go anywhere as long as someone else could do the driving. Bob was also a member of the Medfield Fitness Association, aka the “Walking Group” by the time he joined. He was grateful for the camaraderie and fun he had with this special group of friends. He said it gave him “a reason to get up every morning.”
Devoted father of son Gary and wife Deni (McGill) Vollmuth, daughter Jill Vollmuth, and son Dan Vollmuth, beloved Papa to grandchildren Danielle (and Jack) Miniutti, Jessie (and Kevin) McCabe, Brett (and Heather) Vollmuth, Christopher, Jackie, and Brittany Vollmuth and Papa Bob’s cherished great grandchildren: Tristan and Lia Miniutti, Ryan and Connor McCabe, and Aurora Vollmuth.“Papa Bob” also leaves his extended family, Jim and Maureen, Jackson and Brady Dodge, and his “adopted daughter” Margaret Schleiff. He also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews.
A small graveside service will be held on September 18th. Friends and family will be notified and please visit www.robertsmitchellcaruso.com for updated information. A Celebration of Life has been rescheduled for June 11, 2022, time and location to be announced.
Donations in Robert’s name may be made to the Council on Aging, 1 Ice House Rd., Medfield, MA 02052, or Perkins School for the Blind, 175 N Beacon St, Watertown, MA 02472
He was born in Newark, NJ to Lawrence and Adele (Stephenson) Vollmuth and grew up in Union, NJ with three brothers: Larry, Al, and Richard, all of whom predeceased him. He was married to the love of his life, Florence (Wolfe) for 58 years until her passing in 2006. They had graduated in the same class at Union High School, and reconnected after Bob returned home from WWII. Robert first served in the Army 11th Airborne and was in flight training at Norwich University when he was abruptly shifted to the 8th Armored Division when more ground troops were needed in Western Europe. His Division marched into Germany following the Battle of the Bulge where he served as an interpreter and a runner. Just two months before Germany surrendered, in March 1945, his Company’s bunker was shelled and he was badly wounded, returned home and was awarded a Purple Heart. The lasting impact of his military service was altogether clear when he recited his serial number from his dog tags the morning of his death.
Robert graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Ceramic Engineering and was a member of the Keramos Honorary Ceramic Fraternity. He then held various positions with Walter Kidde and Lenox Corporation, while raising a young family in Livingston, NJ. He moved the family to Medfield in 1963 to accept a position with RCA as VP of Manufacturing, where he helped design one of the first ceramic computer memory cores. Bob, however, could see the rapidly changing trends in technology and decided to change course.
Taking a leap of faith, he ventured into a career in Real Estate and he always said it was the best decision he made. He owned and operated DeWolfe Real Estate in Medfield for many years and said his greatest satisfaction was finding a young couple their very first home. He co-founded M.E.M.O. (Medfield Employer and Merchants Organization) in 1979, and the first “Medfield Day” the following year. He was also a member of the Lions Club and Post 110 of the American Legion. He finally retired in 1995.
In retirement, he enjoyed playing more golf as a longtime member of Walpole Country Club. Bob and Flo enjoyed some traveling, watching Red Sox and Pats games, and their monthly jaunts to Foxwoods. After Flo passed, Bob was always up for an adventure and trying new things. Despite his challenges with both vision and hearing loss, he always found ways to adapt and make the most of life. Bob enjoyed taking trips with the Council on Aging, a bus trip with St. Edwards to Nashville, a Bermuda cruise with an old Rutgers buddy, a trip along the California coast with a detour to Tijuana, a family trip to Denver for a Patriots game, Sunday morning breakfasts at the Sportsman’s Club, the annual “Blues Fest” in Maine where he bought his first tie-dye shirt. Bob was ready to go anywhere as long as someone else could do the driving. Bob was also a member of the Medfield Fitness Association, aka the “Walking Group” by the time he joined. He was grateful for the camaraderie and fun he had with this special group of friends. He said it gave him “a reason to get up every morning.”
Devoted father of son Gary and wife Deni (McGill) Vollmuth, daughter Jill Vollmuth, and son Dan Vollmuth, beloved Papa to grandchildren Danielle (and Jack) Miniutti, Jessie (and Kevin) McCabe, Brett (and Heather) Vollmuth, Christopher, Jackie, and Brittany Vollmuth and Papa Bob’s cherished great grandchildren: Tristan and Lia Miniutti, Ryan and Connor McCabe, and Aurora Vollmuth.“Papa Bob” also leaves his extended family, Jim and Maureen, Jackson and Brady Dodge, and his “adopted daughter” Margaret Schleiff. He also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews.
A small graveside service will be held on September 18th. Friends and family will be notified and please visit www.robertsmitchellcaruso.com for updated information. A Celebration of Life has been rescheduled for June 11, 2022, time and location to be announced.
Donations in Robert’s name may be made to the Council on Aging, 1 Ice House Rd., Medfield, MA 02052, or Perkins School for the Blind, 175 N Beacon St, Watertown, MA 02472