Harold "Rudy" Ralph Rudolph

Harold “Rudy” Rudolph was born on August 24, 1930, in Vananda, Montana, to Gotlieb and Emma Rudolph. He was the brother of Art, Ellen, and Delores. Rudy passed away on October 16, 2026, with family by his side. His early years on the family farms were not easy, first as sharecroppers and then as dairy farmers. The family worked hard together to make ends meet, and Rudy developed a strong faith and work ethic, as well as his love of music while playing the piano for dances alongside his dad, an old-time fiddler, and his brother Art on guitar.

Rudy joined the National Guard at the start of the Korean War and was called to active duty and assigned to the 7th Infantry Division in Korea. Having never left home before, this was a big step for a young 20-year-old. He was recognized as a born leader, and as a staff sergeant, he directed a company of men in the communications division. In 2014, he participated in a revisiting program for veterans and traveled to South Korea, where he and other veterans were recognized and honored for their service.

In 1955, he met Marylin Morgan at a dancing class at North Idaho Junior College, and the rest is history! They were married on December 29, 1956, and shared 54 wonderful years together. They raised three children: Laurie (Rick; daughter Kaitlyn (Mackenzie)), Kathy (Dennis; sons Matthew (Michelle) and Kelly (Jennifer), and daughter Maria (CJ)), and Gary (Liz; son Joshua (Marie) and daughter Emily). In later years, Rudy also enjoyed getting to know his great-grandchildren: Braden, Cameron, Allie, Alex, Lenny, Maggie, and Emma.

Rudy worked for the Boeing Company for 33 years in various engineering management positions and retired in 1992. He and Marylin moved to Whidbey Island and enjoyed traveling, warm winters at their home in Arizona, and spending time with good friends and family. He was very active in his community and church, serving on many boards and committees.

Marylin passed away in 2010, and after several years of healing, Rudy chose “to live an eventful life.” He learned a new set of skills, including cooking, laundry, and housecleaning! He also supported others who had lost beloved spouses through his friendship and encouragement. He met the Hillcrest Dancers in 2015 and quickly found a new group of friends and a joyful social life! He continued to dance at senior centers, Elks lodges, and American Legion locations over the years, and enjoyed singing many of his favorite songs with the bands. He moved to a cottage at Creekside Continuing Care Community in Burlington in 2021, where he quickly made friends and hosted many family holiday gatherings. In 2025, he celebrated his 95th birthday with 95 people—family, longtime friends, and, of course, his dancing friends.

Rudy will be remembered for his strong, unwavering faith, being “terribly organized,” his kindness, his storytelling, his love of music, all the family jokes and sayings, his commitment to good friends, and his support for the family he loved so much. He was truly an inspiration and role model to so many. When asked what his secret to a long life was, he replied, “You need to have a purpose.”

A memorial to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Salem Lutheran Church, 2529 N. Laventure Rd., Mount Vernon, WA 98273. A reception will follow. To honor his life, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org) or Seattle Children’s Hospital (www.seattlechildrens.org/giving/). Arrangements are being handled with the assistance of Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue, WA.