Nicholas DeWolf, inventor, computer expert and philosopher, died Sunday April 12 in a hospital in Aspen, CO age 77 of complications from a stroke and prostate cancer.

Chad Abraham in the Aspen Times, April 17 called Nicholas DeWolf “an extraordinary and exuberant spirit of Aspen whose work in the semiconductor field paved the way for today’s computer industry.”

“He was an engineer, he emphasized in Greg Poschman’s induction video for the Aspen Hall of Fame,” Abraham goes on, “not a scientist.”

“But he was also a husband, father, actor, inventor, photographer and a sensualist; an animal lover who was loved by animals, a provocateur, skier, and an eccentric whose office suffered, or benefited from, legendary disorganization.”

“DeWolf, those close to him say, fought hard for Aspen’s preservation as the perfect world for providing absolute freedom of the discussion of ideas and the ability to mingle across classes, dishwashers to debutantes, Hollywood stars to ski bums.”

Nick DeWolf was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996. On a website he created that year, PROSTATE CANCER meets PROTON BEAM ! A Patient’s Experiences, he wrote: “Hmm… Age 68, PSA=12, Gleason Score=7, Stage B1. Determined not to die of Prostate cancer, hoping to preserve sexuality. What to do, where to go?? ”

After researching all treatments available at the time, talking to doctors and to patients and considering effects of hormonal blockade on male sexuality, DeWolf opted for Proton beam radiation at Loma Linda.

Michael Bard, who told us about Nick’s death yesterday, wrote:

“I was deeply saddened to learn of Nick DeWolf’s passing on April 12th. Nick and I never met, but we chatted many times. When I was first diagnosed in 1999, I wrote to Nick and he immediately called me. We had several marathon conversations and he never was too busy to share his compassion and his knowledge.

His joie de vie was infectious. I remember his excitement over recording the Vietnamese hill tribes. Even when he had a recurrence, he continued to support Proton Beam and LLUMC. I put him in touch with men who were exploring salvage options and never dreamed his disease would progress so aggressively.

The Cap community is better for his presence. In the end, none of us can have a better tribute than that they helped their fellow man. I will miss him.”

Links
Nick DeWolf’s websites and photography — Images by Nick DeWolf
Press source including the photo
Computer pioneer dies at 77: Nick DeWolf’s genius illuminated, soaked Aspen. By Chad Abraham, Aspen Times, April 17, 2006