Ralph was born in Schenectady, NY. He was the second child born to Jack and Mary Wolfe with an older sister, Joyce and a younger brother, John. The family grew up in Burnt Hills, NY until Ralph's high school years which were spent in Chappaqua, NY.

Ralph's childhood has always sounded very much like a cross between a Norman Rockwell painting and Leave it to Beaver. Dad was trained as a Chemist and became a successful Manager with GE for many years before his retirement. Ralph's mom was a full time devoted mom and homemaker and returned to school in the 60s to complete her undergraduate degree in Education at Skidmore College.  Their home in Burnt Hills consisted of 5 acres of land with plenty of room to run around, play in the snow and hang out with "Pal",their golden retriever.  Pal was the same age as Ralph and died when Ralph was 14 years old, a loss that Ralph felt deeply. 

A wonderful part of Ralph's childhood involved "camp" seen in this site's top photo (taken by Jack in 2009) and the picture below. Camp is a little cottage on Lake Sacandaga that was cherished by the Wolfe family and many friends, relatives and acquaintances.  With only a 1/2 bath and a septic system that seemed always on the blink, camp was nonetheless a beautiful spot in the Adirondacks where Ralph, family and friends spent many summers.

Upon leaving home as a young adult, Ralph attended Yale university where he "majored" in psychology, but really in political activism. Ralph was a man of strong beliefs who acted on them by becoming a Conscientious Objector, a vegetarian, a fighter of social injustice and a good friend to all. He returned to Yale several years later to go to Architecture school where he continued to touch the lives of many while demonstrating his leadership and professional success.