Donald Eugene Rudolph, Jr.
June 2, 1946 - July 4, 2022
Staff Sergeant Donald E. Rudolph Jr., USA (Ret.) "Rudy", age 76, of Glendale, AZ passed away on July 4, 2022. He was born on June 2, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN and survived Polio as a child. Upon graduation from high school in 1965, Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army. He began his career with the Army Security Agency (ASA), served as an Entertainment Specialist in Japan, and was later assigned duties in transportation at U.S. installations and Germany. While stationed in Arlington, VA, Donald volunteered with the American Red Cross and joined the Arlington Volunteer Fire Department. Over the years, he served as a firefighter, rode the ambulance and held numerous line and administrative positions. He was also Treasurer of the Arlington County Firefighter's Association.
In 1975, Donald met his wife, Kimberly, who was from Phoenix, AZ and serving in the U.S. Navy, on a military recreation center trip to Hershey Park, PA. They were married the next year. In 1985, Donald retired from the Army and continued working as a civilian for the Army at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Motor Pool as a driver, dispatcher, and maintenance coordinator. After September 11, 2001, he supported tasks at the Pentagon.
Beginning in high school and during his off-duty hours in the military, Donald enjoyed the performing arts. He was an actor, constructed sets, and operated lighting. He also square danced and played pool. Donald delighted countless children at military installations in his role as Santa Claus. He enjoyed traveling and went on several cruises. Very observant, with a quick wit, Donald was a people person and would never hesitate to drop what he was doing to help others.
After repeated illness prompted his retirement in 2012, Donald and Kimberly relocated to Glendale, AZ, where they purchased a home and adopted numerous rescue dogs. Donald inspired people with his intense grit and determination. He continued to attend and support community theater throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, including Glendale's Brelby Theatre. He also continued to travel around the country, did woodworking, and played cards.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Medal of Honor recipient Donald E. Rudolph, Sr. and Helen Rudolph (Furberg) and his sister Shirley Rudolph (Burgi.) He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, niece Tiffany Burgi, nephew Austin Burgi, Jr., niece Kate (Jeremy) Casper (Burgi), two great nieces and a great nephew.
Visitation and a service will be held on July 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 6830 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale, AZ 85381. At a later date, Donald will be laid to rest with military honors at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Heritage Funeral Chapel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inscription and Plot information provided by Jerry C. Goldsmith # 47082379.
June 2, 1946 - July 4, 2022
Staff Sergeant Donald E. Rudolph Jr., USA (Ret.) "Rudy", age 76, of Glendale, AZ passed away on July 4, 2022. He was born on June 2, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN and survived Polio as a child. Upon graduation from high school in 1965, Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army. He began his career with the Army Security Agency (ASA), served as an Entertainment Specialist in Japan, and was later assigned duties in transportation at U.S. installations and Germany. While stationed in Arlington, VA, Donald volunteered with the American Red Cross and joined the Arlington Volunteer Fire Department. Over the years, he served as a firefighter, rode the ambulance and held numerous line and administrative positions. He was also Treasurer of the Arlington County Firefighter's Association.
In 1975, Donald met his wife, Kimberly, who was from Phoenix, AZ and serving in the U.S. Navy, on a military recreation center trip to Hershey Park, PA. They were married the next year. In 1985, Donald retired from the Army and continued working as a civilian for the Army at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Motor Pool as a driver, dispatcher, and maintenance coordinator. After September 11, 2001, he supported tasks at the Pentagon.
Beginning in high school and during his off-duty hours in the military, Donald enjoyed the performing arts. He was an actor, constructed sets, and operated lighting. He also square danced and played pool. Donald delighted countless children at military installations in his role as Santa Claus. He enjoyed traveling and went on several cruises. Very observant, with a quick wit, Donald was a people person and would never hesitate to drop what he was doing to help others.
After repeated illness prompted his retirement in 2012, Donald and Kimberly relocated to Glendale, AZ, where they purchased a home and adopted numerous rescue dogs. Donald inspired people with his intense grit and determination. He continued to attend and support community theater throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, including Glendale's Brelby Theatre. He also continued to travel around the country, did woodworking, and played cards.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Medal of Honor recipient Donald E. Rudolph, Sr. and Helen Rudolph (Furberg) and his sister Shirley Rudolph (Burgi.) He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, niece Tiffany Burgi, nephew Austin Burgi, Jr., niece Kate (Jeremy) Casper (Burgi), two great nieces and a great nephew.
Visitation and a service will be held on July 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 6830 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale, AZ 85381. At a later date, Donald will be laid to rest with military honors at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Heritage Funeral Chapel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inscription and Plot information provided by Jerry C. Goldsmith # 47082379.
Donald Eugene Rudolph, Jr.
June 2, 1946 - July 4, 2022
Staff Sergeant Donald E. Rudolph Jr., USA (Ret.) "Rudy", age 76, of Glendale, AZ passed away on July 4, 2022. He was born on June 2, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN and survived Polio as a child. Upon graduation from high school in 1965, Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army. He began his career with the Army Security Agency (ASA), served as an Entertainment Specialist in Japan, and was later assigned duties in transportation at U.S. installations and Germany. While stationed in Arlington, VA, Donald volunteered with the American Red Cross and joined the Arlington Volunteer Fire Department. Over the years, he served as a firefighter, rode the ambulance and held numerous line and administrative positions. He was also Treasurer of the Arlington County Firefighter's Association.
In 1975, Donald met his wife, Kimberly, who was from Phoenix, AZ and serving in the U.S. Navy, on a military recreation center trip to Hershey Park, PA. They were married the next year. In 1985, Donald retired from the Army and continued working as a civilian for the Army at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Motor Pool as a driver, dispatcher, and maintenance coordinator. After September 11, 2001, he supported tasks at the Pentagon.
Beginning in high school and during his off-duty hours in the military, Donald enjoyed the performing arts. He was an actor, constructed sets, and operated lighting. He also square danced and played pool. Donald delighted countless children at military installations in his role as Santa Claus. He enjoyed traveling and went on several cruises. Very observant, with a quick wit, Donald was a people person and would never hesitate to drop what he was doing to help others.
After repeated illness prompted his retirement in 2012, Donald and Kimberly relocated to Glendale, AZ, where they purchased a home and adopted numerous rescue dogs. Donald inspired people with his intense grit and determination. He continued to attend and support community theater throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, including Glendale's Brelby Theatre. He also continued to travel around the country, did woodworking, and played cards.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Medal of Honor recipient Donald E. Rudolph, Sr. and Helen Rudolph (Furberg) and his sister Shirley Rudolph (Burgi.) He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, niece Tiffany Burgi, nephew Austin Burgi, Jr., niece Kate (Jeremy) Casper (Burgi), two great nieces and a great nephew.
Visitation and a service will be held on July 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 6830 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale, AZ 85381. At a later date, Donald will be laid to rest with military honors at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Heritage Funeral Chapel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inscription and Plot information provided by Jerry C. Goldsmith # 47082379.
June 2, 1946 - July 4, 2022
Staff Sergeant Donald E. Rudolph Jr., USA (Ret.) "Rudy", age 76, of Glendale, AZ passed away on July 4, 2022. He was born on June 2, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN and survived Polio as a child. Upon graduation from high school in 1965, Donald enlisted in the U.S. Army. He began his career with the Army Security Agency (ASA), served as an Entertainment Specialist in Japan, and was later assigned duties in transportation at U.S. installations and Germany. While stationed in Arlington, VA, Donald volunteered with the American Red Cross and joined the Arlington Volunteer Fire Department. Over the years, he served as a firefighter, rode the ambulance and held numerous line and administrative positions. He was also Treasurer of the Arlington County Firefighter's Association.
In 1975, Donald met his wife, Kimberly, who was from Phoenix, AZ and serving in the U.S. Navy, on a military recreation center trip to Hershey Park, PA. They were married the next year. In 1985, Donald retired from the Army and continued working as a civilian for the Army at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Motor Pool as a driver, dispatcher, and maintenance coordinator. After September 11, 2001, he supported tasks at the Pentagon.
Beginning in high school and during his off-duty hours in the military, Donald enjoyed the performing arts. He was an actor, constructed sets, and operated lighting. He also square danced and played pool. Donald delighted countless children at military installations in his role as Santa Claus. He enjoyed traveling and went on several cruises. Very observant, with a quick wit, Donald was a people person and would never hesitate to drop what he was doing to help others.
After repeated illness prompted his retirement in 2012, Donald and Kimberly relocated to Glendale, AZ, where they purchased a home and adopted numerous rescue dogs. Donald inspired people with his intense grit and determination. He continued to attend and support community theater throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, including Glendale's Brelby Theatre. He also continued to travel around the country, did woodworking, and played cards.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Medal of Honor recipient Donald E. Rudolph, Sr. and Helen Rudolph (Furberg) and his sister Shirley Rudolph (Burgi.) He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, niece Tiffany Burgi, nephew Austin Burgi, Jr., niece Kate (Jeremy) Casper (Burgi), two great nieces and a great nephew.
Visitation and a service will be held on July 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 6830 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale, AZ 85381. At a later date, Donald will be laid to rest with military honors at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
Heritage Funeral Chapel
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inscription and Plot information provided by Jerry C. Goldsmith # 47082379.
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