Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Vollmer was in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1944 to 1946, and again from 1950 to 1952.
He was a Claims Representative for the State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company from 1953 to 1956.
[1] On March 30, 1990, Vollmer was nominated by President George H. W. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama vacated by Judge William Brevard Hand.
Vollmer was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 11, 1990, and received his commission on May 14, 1990.
Vollmer served in that capacity until his death, in 2003, in Mobile.