Our community has lost a remarkable citizen and a guiding light for humankind. Retired Cal Poly architecture professor Paul Wolff died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on April 17.
Having experienced the worst of humanity as a Jewish child in Nazi Germany, Paul became an example of a life well-lived and to the highest purpose. He dedicated his life to making the world a better place. We, as members and friends of San Luis Obispo Access for All, a field of interest fund held by The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, would like to pay tribute to Paul Wolff’s legacy to our community.
Shortly after beginning his teaching career at Cal Poly in 1971, Paul developed a cutting- edge course focusing on the concept of Universal Design. Universal Design is the creation of built environments that are accessible and usable by all people regardless of stage in life or disability. Paul was truly a visionary who cared deeply and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others.
Among his many community contributions, Paul worked with the City of San Luis Obispo to create Marvin Gardens, an apartment complex incorporating Universal Design concepts. In 2000, an informal group of disability advocates honored Paul, in a celebration at Marvin Gardens, with the inaugural Paul Wolff Accessibility Advocacy Award, aka PWAAA.
This marked the beginning of more than a decade of annual PWAAA celebrations, honoring other disability advocates in our community. Over the years, the annual PWAAA celebrations transitioned to an annual grant-making program. Through the Access for All Fund, local nonprofits have received small grants to facilitate the implementation of a variety of community accessibility projects.
After Paul retired from teaching at Cal Poly in 1993, he generously donated his time and talents to numerous accessibility projects. No matter how busy he was, he always made time to help others. He was incredibly thoughtful, generous, wise and ready to apply his Universal Design expertise to help newly disabled residents, nonprofits, and businesses improve accessibility in private homes and in public spaces.
Later in life, Paul experienced vision loss. Through SLO Village Movement, a local nonprofit, Paul met his friend Kate Williams who inspired him and taught him so much about living life to the fullest with a disability.
In addition to his incredible contributions to local accessibility projects, Paul dedicated his life to educating others about the dangers of fascism. He welcomed opportunities to speak with high school classes, assemblies, and community group about the Holocaust. He experienced firsthand what it means to lose the freedoms we take for granted. Democracy is fragile; hate, ignorance and greed are powerful forces tearing our world apart.
Paul and his late wife Marion were both extraordinary human beings and antidotes to those negative forces. How lucky we’ve been to have them as part of our community. Rest in peace. Your legacy lives on.
Paul has been a beloved mentor, friend and inspiration to me (and Bryan) for 35+ years.
With gratitude,
Beverly Gingg
Shared on behalf of the Access for All Committee and friends
