Rudolf Gunther Otto Hentschel

Rudolf Guenther Otto Hentschel, 91, died Friday, April 15, 2022 at home surrounded by his family who adored him. He was born April 3, 1931 in Breslau, Germany, the capital of Silesia, to Elfriede Selma Otto and Otto Hentschel. His father owned family-run butcher stores and died of tuberculosis when Rudi was nine years old. His mother had a fruit stand which she turned into a thriving business. While these family businesses were ultimately interrupted by World War II, they helped cultivate Rudi’s entrepreneurial spirit and strong affinity for delicious fresh fruits.

In the aftermath of World War II, Breslau was transferred from Germany to Poland and Rudi, his mother and little sister Barbara were relocated to Norden on the northern coast of Germany. Once they reconnected with family members who survived the war, they moved to Reutlingen to be closer to them and restart their lives. In Reutlingen, Rudi resumed his education, which had been paused for two years, completed a 6-month equivalency course and earned a “top note” with his technician’s degree from the Institute Doctor Förster during an apprenticeship. Rudi went on to attended State College of Konstanz from 1952 to 1955 where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Seeking to make a life in the land of freedom and opportunity, since so much had been lost in the war, Rudi applied for a special visa of skilled workers from the American Consulate in Munich to immigrate to the United States. After a 4-year wait, with no response or update, Rudi’s application was suddenly approved, subject to finding a sponsor and a job. In 1956, Rudi secured a job as an Engineer for Magnaflux Corporation in Chicago. Rudi described his relocation to the United States as the best move of his life; he loved to be in this great country. He later brought his beloved sister Barbara to the United States as well.

During his tenure at Magnaflux Rudi fortuitously received his first tennis racquet as a gift from his boss, sparking his passion for the sport and three generations of Hentschel tennis players. In the early 1960’s Rudi moved from Chicago to Ann Arbor (the second-best move of his life) to work for Förster Hoover Electronics, a division of Hoover Ball and Bearing in Saline, as Vice-President of Engineering. After this division was sold in 1965, Rudi founded Hentschel Instruments, a manufacturer of nondestructive testing equipment for car parts, using the Eddy Current Testing method and ultrasound, that employed over 50 people.

Rudi secured seven patents during his career, including three for the Eddy Current Testing Method. An entrepreneur at heart, he later went on to build a consulting business that helped bus manufacturers digitize documentation of complex electrical systems. Rudi was an active member of the Society for Nondestructive Testing, where he gave professional talks, and the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor.

Rudi’s greatest accomplishment was the family he built with the love of his life and wife of 56-years, Kathryn de Koning Hentschel. Rudi and Kathy met on a blind date in 1964 and it was love after first dance, if not first sight. They were married a year later and have been a dynamic duo in Ann Arbor and on the dance floor ever since. Rudi never missed family dinners during the week, even though most nights he returned to the office when dinner was finished. Rudi lived life with a passion for history, tennis, Michigan sports teams (Go Blue!), cars (particularly Mercedes Benz), driving fast, driving long distances, great meals and for his children and grandchildren. He never missed a tennis match, volleyball game, regatta, grandparents’ day, triathlon, graduation or other family event, no matter how far he had to drive or fly to get there. He always showed up with a big smile, his thick German accent, the “Hentsch-cam” and a great sense of humor. We are eternally grateful he had the fortitude to overcome so many tough circumstances in his early years to bring our family to life. Even though he had extraordinary challenges, he never lost his joyous sense of humor, his passion or his child’s heart. We will always strive to make you proud. We love you!

Rudi was preceded in death by his parents Elfriede Selma Otto and Otto Hentschel, and his younger sister Barbara Doris Morris.

Rudi is survived by his wife Kathy, son Stephen Hentschel (Anne) of Rye, NY and his daughters Heather Hentschel Coupe (Daryl) of Phoenixville, PA and Kristina Hentschel (Sherwood Domingo) of Novato, CA and nine grandchildren, Claudia, Isabelle, Jane and Hugh Hentschel; Lleyton, Alexandra and Hadley Coupe; Ian and Sydney Domingo.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Rudi be remembered through contributions to CARE (www.care.org), a global leader within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty that made a significant impact on Rudi and his family by providing care packages to refugees after World War II. A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 1:00pm, at the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor.