Harold Martin Woolf

Madison -- Harold Martin Woolf, age 69, died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. He was born on April 3, 1940 to Abraham and Betty (Dinerman) Woolf in Providence, Rhode Island. Harold graduated from Cranston High School in 1956 and went on to attend MIT. In 1960, Hal joined the Air Force and became a weather forecaster for the Strategic Air Command. After obtaining a Masters of Science in meteorology from MIT in 1961, he went to work for the U.S. Weather Bureau, and eventually, the National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service of NOAA where he stayed for 35 years. One of his most significant accomplishments was to develop software that processed data from weather satellites into a form usable by weather forecasters and scientists around the world. Hal most recently worked for the University of Wisconsin. He was past president of several organizations. Hal was a fine musician and sang in several choirs, among them the UW Choral Union. He was a member of Shaarei Shamayim and First Unitarian Society. Hal is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Charlotte; children, Amy H. Crain (Steven) and Sam Woolf (Roberta); grandchildren, Kellie (Darren), Gavin (Vanessa), Jacob, Jeni, Scott and Nathan; a great grandson, Ian; three AFS children Hal and Charlotte hosted; a brother, Walter Woolf; and countless friends. A graveside service was held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 18, 2009 at SUNSET MEMORY GARDENS, 7302 Mineral Point Road, Madison with Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman officiating. A Celebration of Hal's Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY in the LANDMARK AUDITORIUM, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shaarei Shamayim, 849 E. Washington Ave. Ste. 204, Madison, WI 53704; to the Music Program at First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Dr., Madison, WI 53705; or HospiceCare Foundation, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711.  Many thanks to hospice and the doctors who were so wonderful during this difficult time.