It is with deep sorrow and much love that the passing of Donald “Don” Robert Rudolph, 68, of St. Charles, MO is shared by his family.
Don was born on November 5, 1956 in St. Joseph, MO to the late Moss and Barbara (Whitacre) Rudolph. He is survived by his wife of forty-two years, Debbie, his two daughters, Katelyn Rudolph-Lopez (Gerry Lopez) of Shawnee, KS and Emily Howley (Brendan) of St. Charles, MO; his three older sisters Nancy Vanderlip (Mack) of Tulsa, OK; Karen (Ruthie Villareal) of Auburn, CA; and Sharon of Elgin, IL; brother-in-law Greg (Teresa) O’Neill of Little River, KS; and sister-in-law Cindy O’Neill of McPherson, KS. Other survivors include many nieces and nephews, who affectionately knew Don as Uncle Rudy.
As a youth, Don swam on the local swim team and played on a state championship junior softball team. During high school, he earned all-conference honors in football and wrestling, and diligently worked on restoring a 1947 Chevy Coupe, which he painted green. He loved music and sang in the a capella choir. Don worked many long hours on the family farm northwest of Savannah. He graduated from Savannah High School in 1975 with honors.
Don entered the University of Missouri as a third-generation Mizzou student of the Rudolph family in 1975. During his time at Mizzou, he was a member of the fraternity Beta Theta Pi, and received his degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1979. He would go on to receive his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Iowa in 2000.
A lifelong Missouri Tigers football fan and active alumnus, Don held Mizzou football season tickets for over five decades, even when he and his family were not residents of Missouri at the time. Attending football games with family and friends brought great joy to Don, and he traveled to over 8 states across the years to watch the Tigers play at away games as well.
Don enjoyed reading the latest Lee Child or Tom Clancy novel, watching a documentary on the History channel, and attending to his backyard. Don was an avid golfer, fisherman and woodworker for many years. Most notably, Don built a deck with a pergola at the previous Rudolph home in Chaska, MN. Don was a member of the United Methodist Church of Green Trails for over 17 years, where he served on the church board.
He found the simple joys in life with a fresh cup of coffee or a sweet treat, listening to James Taylor or Van Morrison, hanging with the family dog and being around those who were dearest to him.
A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church of Green Trails, in Chesterfield, MO. Additional services will be held at Meierhoffer Funeral Home in St. Joseph, MO. Don will be laid to rest at the Whispering Pines Cremation Garden, near his childhood hometown. Guests are encouraged to wear their best Missouri Tiger black and old gold. Further details and dates will be announced.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Moss E. Rudolph Scholarship Fund, which assists students from Andrew County, MO, in attending the University of Missouri. Checks can be made payable to the University of Missouri, 407 Reynolds Alumni Center, Columbia, MO 65211, with a note that the gift is in memory of Mr. Donald Rudolph.
