Final Salute

Navy Commander Duane G. Wolfe, 54, was killed by a roadside bomb Monday, May 25, 2009, in Iraq. He was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1958 and has resided in Los Osos for the past 32 years. After graduating Hueneme High School at 17, Duane joined the U.S. Navy to become a Seabee. He continued to serve in the Navy Reserve and reached the rank of Commander. In 1980, he graduated from Cal Poly with a bachelor”s degree in construction engineering. The degree allowed him to make the move from enlisted personnel to a Navy officer in 1995. In addition to serving in the Naval Reserves, he was a civilian employee for 24 years in the 30th Mission Support Group at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and worked his way up to Deputy Commander. A Deacon at the Los Osos Church of Christ, Duane spent his free time teaching and studying the Bible. His hobbies were playing golf and basketball. He also excelled at home improvement and car repair. Duane was blessed with a clever sense of humor, intelligence and great work ethic. Duane is survived by his wife of 34 years, Cindi; two daughters Carrie Wolfe-Smith of Fresno and Katie Wolfe; son, Evan Wolfe of Bowling Green, Ky.; son-in-Law, David Smith of Fresno; and sister Loretta Nuckols of Buchannon, Va.; mother, Nena Russell of Port Hueneme; niece, Valery Ishinger of Harrisonberg, Va.; and nephew, Ryan Kelleher of Buchannon. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at the Perlee Theater at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., followed by a graveside service at Los Osos Memorial Park in Los Osos. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make memorial donations to Parents Helping Parents Family Resource Center, 3620 Sacramento Dr. No. 201, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, or charity of your choice.

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Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune on May 31, 2009.