Long-time local businessman and philanthropist Don Wolf passed away Tuesday at the age of 90.
Wolf served as the president and CEO of what would become the Do It Best Corporation. He was appointed CEO of what was then Hardware Wholesalers in 1962, according to a press release announcing his death.
By the time he retired in 1992, the co-op had grown into more than $1.2 billion in sales with distribution centers covering the entire United States and internationally. Wolf played a key role in laying the groundwork for the merger between HWI and Our Own Hardware that led to the creation of Do it Best Corp. in 1998.
Within the Fort Wayne community, Wolf co-founded and served as president of what was then the Fort Wayne Big Brothers organization in 1972. He also served as president of the national organization’s board of directions. In 1989, he partnered with Fort Wayne Community Schools to found Study Connection, which provides volunteer tutors to help students with their homework.
Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry offered his memories of Wolf Tuesday afternoon. "Our community mourns today at the passing of Don Wolf. Don is one of the most generous and authentic men I’ve ever met. I was honored to call him a friend," Henry said in a written statement. "A lot of people will remember Don for his successes in the home improvement industry, but I most appreciated Don’s commitment to so many worthy causes such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana and Study Connection in partnership with Fort Wayne Community Schools. Don was always giving back and thinking of others first."
Along with a Sagamore of the Wabash, Wolf received the Sachem Award in 2013, the state’s highest individual honor. He was named Citizen of the Year by the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette in 1991.
He is survived by his wife Ginny, as well as their four children, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, according to a press release.
