Richard N. Wolf · 1987 Honoree

For twenty-three years Dick Wolf has dedicated himself to the preservation of those values that permit persons of diverse backgrounds to come together and make a community. Those of us who occupy squares in the wonderful living mosaic that is Capitol Hill can truly appreciate the magnitude of his accomplishments.

Mr. Wolf was raised in a middle class, suburban neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He attended public schools there and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. With horizons expanding, he came East to study law at Yale University and remained in New Haven after receiving his degree to work on a project with the local jail system. It was during this time that he met his physician/wife “Mimi,” then a third year med student at Yale. They were married the day before her graduation.

Dick remembers visiting a friend in D.C. during the late 50’s and a particular feeling that overcame him as he stood at the corner of the 11th and East Capitol Street. Within his field of vision, he saw something other than a traditional urban setting. This neighborhood was mature yet unspoiled, close-in but open and green, embodying many of the attributes of the suburban neighborhood of his youth, including the feeling of a real community.

Some months later, Mr. Wolf accepted a position as a staff attorney on the fledgling U.S. Commission on Civil Rights here in Washington. He is quite proud of his pioneering work in investigating police misconduct during those times and has continued to be an individual with a remarkable strength of convictions. He currently serves as Senior Attorney, Office of General Counsel, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Dick and Mimi moved to Capitol Hill in 1964 after ten arduous months spent in the renovation of the “Philadelphia Row” flatfront which they occupy today. It was during this restoration process that Dick became wrapped up in the spirit of Capitol Hill and many of the issues which would threaten our community, including the 14th and Potomac Avenue highrise controversy.

To recount the many community concerns and zoning issues that Mr. Wolf has addressed as a leader and three term President of the Capitol Hill Restoration Society would seem to forget the purpose of his work of many years. One need not know how each stroke was laid on a canvas when the painting is there for all to see.

You will find no ego-stroking monuments to Dick Wolf. If you talk to him for any length of time, you will begin to understand that his work has only an indirect relationship to buildings and landscape. What he stands for are values and, despite the fact that a community must adjust to the times, the values never change.

Thanks to Dick Wolf, we don’t have to close our eyes and strain our imagination to feel what he felt as a young man standing there on East Capitol Street. Thanks to Dick Wolf and those who stand ready to take his place, we will continue to have and enjoy this unique community that is Capitol Hill.