Richard C. "Rick" Rutledge, Jr.

Richard C. “Rick” Rutledge, Jr., 65, passed away at his Capitol Hill townhouse in Washington, DC on April 29, 2025, after bravely fighting metastatic prostate cancer for 8 and a half years. Rick was the devoted husband of Karin Walsh Rutledge for more than 31 years and proud father to son, Nathaniel Patrick Rutledge, 24.

Rick was born in Bethlehem, PA, on May 4, 1959, and is predeceased by his parents, Richard C. and Betty Rutledge (Zawadski). Rick graduated from Notre Dame High School in Easton, PA and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, earning a degree in architecture. Rick worked for decades in private architecture firms, and prior to retiring in March 2025, worked for 15 years as a registered architect and supervisory general engineer of construction management for the U.S. Navy, overseeing projects at the Washington Navy Yard and other Navy facilities in the area.

Rick was a funny, optimistic, and hopeful person with a fierce dedication to his family, his friends, his co-workers, and his community. He was a dedicated son, brother, uncle, husband and father, a loyal friend, a caring mentor, and despite never playing soccer himself, an enthusiastic coach, nicknaming himself “kitten herder” while helping to coach his son’s youth soccer teams.

Rick was honest, kind, and selfless and always went above and beyond for othersbefore thinking of himself. When not helping others, Rick enjoyed doodling, making and sending holiday and birthday cards, building models, sharing “dad” jokes, and cooking and perfecting recipes. His largest project was renovating his home, built in 1890, which he approached with endless creativity and enthusiasm.

Rick loved to spend time with his family and friends and was immensely proud of their accomplishments, big and small. He deeply loved his dog, Penny, also known as “little ball of fluff and love.”

In addition to his wife and son, Rick is survived by his sister, Diana Gaylor (Rutledge); two brothers-in-law, Timothy Gaylor and Kevin Walsh; and three nephews, Dustin Rutledge, Clifford Angus Walsh, and Duncan Walsh. He is also survived by two goddaughters, Clair Striegel and Maureen Ammirati.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, where he was treated for cancer or Eagle Island Camp on Upper Saranac Lake, NY, where he volunteered and enjoyed countless hours with his son and wife.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 10 at St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill which is located at 313 2nd Street, NE, Washington, DC.