Former Do It Best President, Community Leader Dies

A former president and chief executive officer of Fort Wayne-based Do it Best Corp. has died. Don Wolf, who led the co-op from 1967 until his retirement in 1992, was also a Sachem Award winner and philanthropist. He was 90 years old. 

In 1972, Wolf co-founded and served as the first president of Big Brothers of Greater Fort Wayne. He also served as president of the national board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

He founded a program called Study Connection in 1989 in partnership with Fort Wayne Community Schools, a program that trains more than 1,000 volunteer tutors yearly to help students with homework and mentor them. 

Wolf was honored with the Sagamore of the Wabash award by the State of Indiana in 1994 for his commitment to underserved children.  He also won it in 1995 for his efforts to support elementary education.

In 2013, he was awarded the state’s highest individual honor, the Sachem Award, presented by then-Governor Mike Pence for his community efforts.

In addition to his many other honors, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Purdue University and an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Vincennes University.

“Everyone in the Do it Best family is saddened by Don’s passing,” said Do it Best Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Starr in a news release. “Do it Best Corp. would not be the company we are without the passionate  vision of Don Wolf, and the same can be said of the city of Fort Wayne. In addition to his  unparalleled contributions to our industry, his philanthropic work here and throughout the region has positively impacted the lives of thousands of people.” 

Officials say arrangements are still being finalized.