In Memoriam: Fred Louis Wolking

1939-2010

by Carl A. Tarantino, CHP

Fred Louis Wolking, longtime treasurer of the Health Physics Society (HPS) Virginia Chapter, died as a result of brain cancer in Richmond, Virginia, on 20 March 2010. Fred was born in Lockhart, Florida, in 1939 and was 70 at the time of his death. He attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, and then entered the United States Navy as part of the Naval Nuclear Power Program. He served 24 years in various “at sea” and “ashore” postings before retiring from active duty in 1983 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

After retirement, Fred worked more than 10 years in commercial nuclear power. In addition to his duties as treasurer for the HPS Virginia Chapter, Fred supported chapter-sponsored teacher workshops, regional meetings, and the 2000 midyear meeting held in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Fred was active in the local, district, and state Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, serving as its administrative officer for several years and as an active member of its color guard, participating in numerous events around the state of Virginia. He was also active as a lay speaker in the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church and his local congregation.

Fred is survived by his wife of 49 years, Patricia; four children; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A special memorial service was held on Fred’s birthday, 21 April, at St. Luke’s Methodist church in Richmond, Virginia.