Rudolph "Rudy" Koenig

Rudolph "Rudy" Koenig

AGE: 86 • Barnegat

Rudolph "Rudy" Koenig passed away on January 12, 2012, in Barnegat, New Jersey. He was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 30, 1925. His parents were Fannie Smergut and Rudolph Koenig. He grew up and went to school in Brooklyn. At the age of eighteen he joined the Navy. It was 1943, a year after Pearl Harbor. After training in Melville, Rhode Island, he left to serve on PT Boat 114 in the Phillipine Islands. He served there until his discharge from service in May of 1946. For his service he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Victory Medal, American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with One Star, and the Phillipine Liberation Ribbon with Two Stars. When he returned home he moved to Tuckerton, New Jersey along with his mother and step father Joseph Gerbitz. He became employed at that time by Atlantic Electric Company and worked as a lineman gradually working up to electrician on some of their largest projects. He retired from his electrical career in 1980. In 1960 he purchased property in Barnegat, New Jersey in the Pinelands area. He restored the home that had been built in the 1700's, and preserved its historical significance, in so doing. Today it is known as Cedarbridge Tavern and may well be the site of the last battle of the Revolutionary War in New Jersey, that took place on December 27, 1783. He was an avid gardener, cook, entertainer of friends and family, inventor, and developer of innovative ideas. He had a great love for all of nature and he was especially knowledgeable about the local bird population. He belonged to the Beach Haven Moose Lodge 1575, Manahawkin Elks 2340 and the PT Boat group "All Hands", and was a sixty year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

He will be sorely missed by all his friends and family. He is survived by many cousins and friends.

Cremation was private. A memorial service is planned for a future date. Condolences may be sent to www.shinnfuneralhome.com