VIETH, WOLF RANDOLPH

VIETH, WOLF RANDOLPH
Wolf Randolph Vieth passed peacefully away on December 10, 2024. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Peggy, and his sister, Karin Carrier, Wolf is survived by daughters, Jane and Linda, sons Chris (Dana) and Mark (Mhel), grandchildren Kyle (Jessica), Annie, Jeny (Sam), Jeffrey (Reicke), great-grandchildren Maeve, Fionnula and Friedrich, and many nieces and nephews.
Wolf was born on May 5,1934 to Hans Walther and Hedwig Fahrig Vieth.
Wolf attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his Bachelor and Doctorate degrees. He earned his Master's degree at Ohio State University and was a lifelong Buckeyes fan.
Teaching was his defining vocation. He taught in the Chemical Engineering Department at MIT. At Rutgers University where he continued his career in 1968, Wolf helped establish their Chemical Engineering Department to include Biochemical Engineering disciplines. Immobilizing enzymes was among his contributions to technology with applications in biochemistry, microbiology, medical research, food science and more.
In 1960 at MIT, Wolf developed a spiraled polymer membrane to separate salt from water molecules. The water purification system is in use at the Cape May Water Desalination Plant.
As a landlocked boy from Columbus Ohio, Wolf fell in love with the ocean and fishing. “Doc,” as he was affectionately known, fished on jetties, and surf cast for many years. Later, with older sons, boats were the preferred fishing method.
Doc cherished the strong bonds fishing fostered with Chris and Mark aboard the Hoa Pili. He indulged his daughters' passion for horses by providing lessons, and a horse they stabled at a neighborhood farm. His four children love the beach lifestyle.
Wolf became a full-time resident of Cape May Point in 1996, spending most winters in Maui where Mark and Mhel live, and authored five books. Peggy typed his books and manuscripts with many complicated scientific illustrations.
He also combined his love of teaching with that of fishing for six years by joining the Auxiliary at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, giving him access to their impressive jetty.
With Peggy, Wolf volunteered at both Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. Agnes Mission Church.
Wolf's Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on January 25, 2025 (Saturday) at 11am in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 525 Washington St., Cape May. Entombment will be private and at a later date. (Spilker Funeral Home, Cape May) info and condolences: spilkerfuneralhome.com