Rudolph Joseph Netek, Jr.

Rudolph Joseph Netek, Jr., age 69, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2019 in Houston, TX. He was born on October 29, 1950 in Corpus Christi to Rudolph Joseph Netek, Sr. and Vlasta Cykala Netek. He attended Corpus Christi Academy from 1965-1968, but graduated from Mary Carroll High School in 1968. He graduated from Texas A&M University with his Bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1972.

Rudy started at Peat, Marwick & Mitchell (now KPMG) in Houston, Texas in January of 1973 and worked there for 2 years before moving to Jayne Wrightsman Company in July of 1975. In 1990, he and the family were transferred to New York, New York. The Neteks settled into Chappaqua, New York, putting down deep roots. Rudy worked for JWC for the rest of his career, over 40 years in total. He was a tireless and loyal employee of JWC, eventually becoming the General Manager and overseeing multimillion dollar holdings in Texas, New York and London, and making relationships with such prestigious organizations as The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Sotheby’s, and Christie’s. He was very proud of his tenure working in the oil and gas industry, through JWC, and maintained a company culture of loyalty and honesty.

Rudy greatly enjoyed marathon running, restoring classic cars, yardwork, and baseball. Rudy’s love of baseball and softball led him to share this love with his community, best embodied through coaching and umpiring throughout upstate New York. Through this involvement he was able to provide a positive example to countless area youth, teaching them the value of honesty, hard work, and selfless teamwork. This commitment to help others further found action through his volunteering and fundraising for the San Miguel Academy of Newburgh, whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty through education.

Rudy was a consummate gentleman in every way. He did everything with a smile and with grace. He was generous, had a great sense of humor and was a lover of pranks. He was happiest on the ballfield, at Yankee Stadium, on “The Bench” with his friends, and at his Houston lake house surrounded by loved ones. He believed in working hard and always being kind and honest. His bright blue eyes, infectious smile and loving energy lit up any room and drew you in to what was sure to be an interesting conversation.

He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Marilyn Johnson Netek, and their three children: Jonathan Netek and his husband Daniel Oslie, Anne Netek Hart and her husband Michael, and Margaret Netek Bork and her husband Aaron. His four grandchildren: Victoria, Emerson, William and Molly were his favorite MULE-riding, ice-cream eating partners in crime.

Visitation with the family will be Thursday, November 14, 2019 from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm with remembrances beginning at 6:45 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, November 15, 2019 at 10:00 am at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road, Houston, Texas 77056.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Rudy’s name to the San Miguel Academy of Newburgh at www.newburghsanmiguel.org/contributions.