Alex Wolf
About Alex
Alex was born on January 2nd, 1989. Alex had a quiet and genuine concern for others and the world he lived in. He was a minimalist and environmentalist; concerned with reducing his carbon footprint, Alex biked everywhere he could, bought primarily from secondhand stores, and was a regular shopper at his local food cooperative. Although a newcomer to Minneapolis, Alex had established himself as part of the local quidditch team, biking community, knitters guild, film club, and indie DJ scene.
His family loves his unique, independent, fun-loving spirit. Alex’s father, Keith, recounted a time when Alex had gotten into an argument with one of his three sisters, and reprogrammed all the radio stations in her car to play NPR.
Alex was never one to put limits on the things he could learn or try. He was not judgmental, he accepted others and encouraged them to be their best selves. He lived his life with passion; and he was a truly positive, life-changing influence for those who knew him.
The following quote was given by Alex’s father to describe his impact on the people around him:
"Welcoming is not just something that happens as people cross the threshold. It is an attitude; it is the constant openness of the heart; it is saying to people every morning and at every moment, 'come in'; it is giving them space; it is listening to them attentively. To welcome means listening a great deal to people and then discerning the truth with them. In order to welcome there must be a peaceful space in the hearts of those welcoming … for the person to find a place of rest and growth." ~ Jean Vanier
Crash Description
Alex was struck down at approximately 3:45 pm on November 20th, 2019, while commuting from work on his bicycle in Minneapolis, MN at 12th Street and Linden Avenue by a box truck towing a heavy equipment trailer.
Life After the Crash
With Alex gone, the Wolf family dynamic is very different. His sisters, Amanda and Rebecca, mourn the loss of their brother. And Alex’s father, Keith, is working through his grief in his own way. Keith has sought out different forms of grief counseling and is working to transition his grief from Alex’s death to advocacy for safer trucking regulations and urban biking infrastructure. Just a few months after Alex’s crash, the City of Minneapolis and Saint Paul lowered the speed limits on city streets to 20 mph. Keith also joined the Institute for Safer Trucking in Washington, DC to advocate for safer streets for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists before Congress and the Administration.
Alex’s memory is kept alive by the stories his family tells, the music he created, and even the knitted caterpillar he made for his goddaughter. Alex’s family hopes that by telling his story, they can spread some of the joy and fearlessness Alex had, as well as show others the importance of increased safety for trucking and bikers on our roads.
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