Rudolph Seibert

August 16, 1920 – November 11, 2017

Rudy was born in Chicago on August 16, 1920 to Anna and Rudolph Seibert. He was loved by his parents and adored by his 2 older sisters – Anne and Marge. He grew up in a richly diverse community of immigrants – his own mom was from Czechoslovakia and his dad was from Austria.

When the depression hit, Rudy joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, where he developed a great appreciation for the Northwest and military life. He enjoyed the rigors of military life so much that when his time in the CCC ended, he joined the army. He was in the army when the U.S. entered World War II.

At that time, luxury liners were being retro-fitted for the war effort and Rudy was aboard one on the way to Australia. From there he was stationed in Italy as a staff sergeant and then in North Africa, where he worked on U.S. fighter planes. While in Egypt he saw the Great Sphinx, but what made an even bigger impression on him was the poverty he witnessed at that time in some of the population. He was ever so glad and appreciative to be an American!

For a short time Rudy had been stationed at McCord Airfield and while there, he met a beautiful fun-loving young lady – Jean - at a USO dance. Jean’s love of music and dancing matched his own and they vowed to stay in touch. He sent for her after the war ended and they married in Chicago.

He and Jean soon made their home in Tacoma, WA., where Rudy apprenticed as a saw filer. Saw filing was a fine and necessary art in those days in the timber rich Pacific Northwest. What is probably done by machine nowadays was meticulously done by hand back then on giant saws of all types. Rudy went to work for Disston Saw Co. in Seattle, sometimes moonlighting at the mill in Preston.

Jean and Rudy’s only child – Kathleen – was born on March 27, 1948. She was one lucky girl to be loved by such doting parents and grandparents. Rudy became a grandparent himself, when Kathy married the love of her life, Chuck Blanton, and eventually produced 3 sons – Chris (Tracy), Pat (Molly), and Will (Gwyn). They in turn each had 3 children – Katie, Claire, and Matthew, Emma, Ben, and Jessica, and Chloe, Sam, and Kennedy – thereby making Rudy a great grandfather. Rudy also leaves behind a much loved nephew – Dennis (Judy) Surna. And besides his own parents and sisters, he was preceded in death by his very dear in-laws, Hank and Mildred.

Jean and Rudy had happily made their home in Skyway, which was a classic family-oriented suburb of Seattle in the 1950’s. But in the last year of his life it was necessary for Rudy to move into an adult family home – The Best Quality Home Care – owned and operated by Paula Muresan. We are so grateful for Paula’s amazing care and concern. It turned out to be the perfect place, however Rudy’s heart was always at home in Skyway with his beloved Jean. He’s watching over her now!

Food at Chuck and Kathy’s house following service.