Rudolf A Jimenez

On December 6th, 2025, the world lost a wonderful man. Professor Rudolf A. Jimenez, PhD, Rudy, was a brilliant, kind and generous gentleman who treated everyone with respect and humility. Born in Eureka, Illinois on May 13, 1926, to Gertrude Mette Jimenez and Joseph Jimenez, he was raised in the Panama Canal Zone. After Graduating high school, he served 2 years in the US Navy. In 1949 he met and married Vera Mae Rentschler of Fulton, MO while he was a student at the University of Arizona. They enjoyed 56 years together before she passed in 2005. Rudy earned his BS and MS degrees at the U of A and his PhD at Texas A&M. He was a professor of civil engineering at the U of A for over 30 years where he became an internationally renowned researcher of asphaltic concrete pavements and organizer of the annual Arizona Roads and Streets Conference. He was also very involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers, including serving as the state section president. He was loved by students and staff for his humor and compassion. After retirement, he pursued playing the banjo and performed with several bands. He was a highly intelligent, renaissance man who made friends easily. He was a devoted father to his four children: Tanya (Mike), Steve (Julie), Greg (Karen), and Jody (Jim) and grandfather to Retsina, Jeremiah, Eleanor and Gabriel. He will be sorely missed. A memorial service will be held January 16th, 2026, at 11:30 AM at East Lawn Palms Mortuary and Cemetery, 5801 E Grant Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712.

Donations in Rudy’s honor may be made to the R.A. Jimenez Highway Scholarship that was established in 1996. Make checks payable to the University of Arizona. In the memo line write R.A. Jimenez Highway Scholarship, UA Account No. 7403000. Mail them to The University of Arizona Foundation, P.O. Box 210109, Tucson, AZ 85721-0109. Or for more information, email the Civil Engineering office at [email protected]