Photo by Glen Carpenter
Go around to any student at Moraine Valley and ask them this, “Who should I take for my Philosophy class?” Nine times out of ten, I guarantee you they’ll respond “Take Wolf.”
Anyone who was lucky enough to actually get into Professor Richard Wolf’s classes this semester started off hearing some heartbreaking news that he would be leaving us in two weeks.
“I’ve always felt that I had a good relationship with my students,” said Wolf
Before he became the Professor Wolf we know, Richard Wolf actually worked in intelligence for the government. Whatever that entailed, I dared not ask.
However, Professor Wolf always had a certain fondness for teaching, and became an adjunct at Moraine Valley back in 1999. Three years later he began to fully devote himself to teaching, captivating students with his sarcastic, yet realistic take on philosophy. He always made sure to stress the fact that philosophy is meant to ask the big questions, like “Why are we here?” and “What is our purpose?” instead of the usual “What is the meaning of this chair?
Though students had only a little time with him, nothing stopped him from teaching them whatever he could. For the few philosophy 101 classes I had with him, one quote from him has been burnt into my mind. “If you want to have a meaningful life, you must first figure out what you’re willing to live and die for. Once you do, you need to figure out how to make it a reality.”
Thirteen years after he started his work at Moraine, Wolf is leaving the school abruptly. If there was one question we all had, it was why?
According to Wolf, it’s time for him to go back to his old line of work in intelligence.
“I love teaching, it has been very fulfilling for me. But I also love my old line of work. I’ve met every challenge I’ve ever had to face as a teacher, but now it’s time for new challenges. Even though I love my old work, I’ll miss teaching. Leaving here, it’s bittersweet.”
“Always take time to work on your soul and remember that man’s purpose is to serve his creator,” said Professor Wolf as his last words to the students of Moraine Valley.
