Wolfgang Josef Gropp

Wolfgang, “Wolf” Joseph Gropp, Petite Auberge Restaurant Chef and Owner, passed away Sunday, July 22nd, 2018 surrounded by his family at his home in Sandy Springs. He was born June 9, 1937 in Coburg, Germany. Wolfgang, nick named “Wolf”, was the son of the late Joseph Gropp and Anna Hein. Wolf trained in many prestigious restaurants all over Europe and America, including the Hotel Beau Rivage, Geneva Switzerland, the Grand Hotel St. Helier, Jersey- Channel Islands, The Savoy Hotel, London, England, and Chateau Frontenac, Quebec, Canada. One of the highlights in his life was preparing food for the Queen of England.

Wolfgang married Ilse Bittl in January 1964 in Labrador City, Newfoundland, Canada where he was working as a Chef for the Iron Ore Company. In 1965 he and Ilse relocated to America where he was Chef at the Chateau Fleur de Lis in Atlanta. In August of 1974, he opened the popular Petite Auberge Restaurant in Toco Hills with his wife, Ilse and brother- in- law, Helmut Bittl. The legendary restaurant remained in that location for 42 years and recently was relocated to Clairmont Road and renamed Petite Violette.

After Ilse passed away in 2007, Wolf remarried Artist, Frances “Frankie” Fox Gropp. Wolf, always committed to his family, is survived by Frankie; brothers, Herbert and Klaus; sisters, Gerti and Beate; sons, Michael Helmut Gropp {Patti} and Anthony Alfred Gropp {Jenny}. He is also survived by his stepdaughters, Lorraine Pruitt and Jodi Roseboro and their daughters, Olivia Jones-Ballard, Estelle Roseboro, Ava Roseboro and Hailey Fricks. His sister, Hiltrud preceded him in death.

Wolf was seldom seen without his beloved dog ‘Bo”. In his earlier years, Wolfgang enjoyed playing tennis and traveling. His love of hunting on his property in Greene County also gave him a lot of pleasure. Today, Petite Violette managed by his sons, Michael and Anthony still serves his world-class recipes, and is an all - time favorite in Atlanta. The talented, spirited and warm hearted Wolfgang Gropp will be greatly missed by family, friends and customers alike.

A memorial service will be held by the family at a later date.