Rudolph Wyman Neuser

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Ballard High School

Rudolph Neuser Obituary

Rudolph Wyman Neuser

(A Viking Goes to Valhalla)

Rudy Neuser was born in Seattle, WA, on November 1, 1926 to Signy and Charles Neuser. He grew up in the Greenwood/Ballard neighborhood where he caught snakes and frogs where a Fred Meyer now stands. He graduated early from Ballard High School and joined the Navy in 1944 where he honorably served on a jeep carrier. He was on his way as part of the invasion of Japan when WWII ended.

Rudy met his beloved Shirley when they were in the wedding party of dear friends, Frank and Adele Inslee. They met in October, became engaged on Rudy's next birthday. They married at Zion Lutheran Church on January 8, 1949. It may have been a short courtship, but the relationship has been solid since that first meeting. It is obvious to whoever observes them how deep their love and commitment will always be. What a tremendous example for his children and grandchildren!

Other than his family, Rudy's great love was for fishing and the sea. In the commercial fishing world he was known as Heavy Duty and well known from Alaska to Mexico. He primarily was a salmon troller, but he also purse seined, long-lined tuna, as well as fishing for halibut and crab. Every bartender near a boat basin knew him and he was well respected and a friend to all.

His other great passion was music. He played the accordion (squeeze box as he called it), sang and loved to dance. He was known for requesting "Proud Mary," and a schottische of every live band, regardless of their style.

After selling the Shirley N, Rudy and Shirley enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand as well as visiting friends in the U.K. He was a great chef and loved cooking for his family and entertaining. Many a warm evening, he and Shirley would sit on their deck and watch the boats and sunset over Commencement Bay while enjoying a glass of wine or a "jolt."

Rudy will be deeply missed by his adoring wife of 64 years, Shirley; his daughter Kristine Brynildsen-Smith (Al) of Seattle; daughter Cynthia Barker (Dave) of Homer, Alaska, and son Andy (Joan) of Tacoma. He is also survived by his grandchildren Dave Barker, Jr. (Jeanie) of Atlanta, Georgia; Adam Barker (Jessica) of Homer, Alaska; Erik Brynildsen of Seattle; Zachary Barker of Walla Walla, Washington; Katie Neuser of Seattle; Gregory Smith (Alex) of Seattle; Meg Burnham (Kenny) of Seattle; Aimee Neuser of Seattle and Drew Anna Neuser of Tacoma. His great grandchildren include Julia and Reed Barker, Max and Allie Barker and Oliver Smith. His sister Carol DeLong and several nieces and nephews also survive him. His spoiled Sally dog misses his lap and loving attention. Rudy was known for giving all of his family members pet names, which we cherish.

Rudy passed away on December 30, surrounded by all of his children, grandchildren, wife and most of his great grandchildren. A celebration of Rudy's life will be held at an open house at his home in Browns' Point on Friday, January 4 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Please bring a story to tell. Rudy always said, "Enjoy every day," and "I can go any day because I have had a full and wonderful life and the best wife and family."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Jan. 3, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Rudolph Neuser

9 Entries

Brandy Spry

January 6, 2013

Many summers spent with Rudy and Shirley camping at little Naches sending love and prayers to the Neuser family.

Scott Atkinson

January 5, 2013

I wish to express my sincere condolences to Shirley (my aunt) and my cousins Andy, Cindy and Kris, as well as their offspring, at the passing of a true original, a unique character larger than life, my Uncle Rudy. By a twist of fate, I ended up working as a deckhand on Rudy's boat, the F/V Shirley N, in July 1973. It was my first real employment (at age 13) and while at first my parents were opposed, the event turned out to be a true turning point in my own life. Fishing was good but we had misfortune at the end of the trip. The vessel's bilge pump failed at a dangerous time. As night fell, winds were building, swells grew taller, and a storm was upon us. Swells crashed on deck and, as we were full of albacore and sitting low in the water, alot of the water ended up reaching the engine room below. Andy and I baled water furiously as Rudy and Shirley tried to hail help and do all else to keep the Shirley N going. The outcome seemed uncertain until about 1 a.m., when the Canadian Coast Guard flew a pump out to us, but even after finally retrieving the pump, we struggled for awhile before getting things back under control.

Rudy had a toughness and perserverance that stayed the course through adversity. When I returned as a deckhand in 1981, Rudy had to change out a failed starter 500 miles offshore--and I helped him though a task that seem well nigh impossible at the time. We drifted for awhile but recovered to continue the fishery.

Apart from teaching me life lessons, Rudy's trolling life also allowed me to discover the remarkable bounty of nature. I still marvel at the incredible offshore fauna he brought to my attention, especially the seabirds. My first true "birding assignment" was to watch for gull and tern flocks from the top of the wheelhouse, as the albacore might be there also. He later teased me about my interest in "Reeve's Storm-Petrels" (Leach's Storm-Petrels), but in retirement seemed to have developed a bit of an interest himself. During the raising of my own twin sons later, I've enjoyed recounting his terrific stories, such as the "Legend of the Teddy J" (a real-life shark attack on a deckhand fallen overboard off the WA coast). Here was a man who had a craft for recounting his amazing experiences...

Rudy was a self-made man and knew enough about the down times, as when fish were few, to tell me that I needed to learn to find something worthwhile, something to be glad about, every day. While not always easy to do, I believe these are words to live by. Little did I realize at the time that Rudy had set me on the path I have followed since--living "on the edge" in a sense, and tied much of the time to Ballard's marine industry. 40 years later, I find myself working in Ballard for a Norwegian firm, in which our core customers are the fishermen. Some of the older Norwegians in the local Viking Club are reminiscent of Rudy--they have that hard-headed common sense about life, that perserverance--that alot of America could use in greater supply in these times! And at the same time, like Rudy, they know how to have a good time, and a good laugh, when they can.

So here's final salute to Uncle Rudy, from 'ol Scott Attwater. Let us all celebrate the life and times of a true native son, a Viking gone home. In closing I'll remember an inscription on the wall inside the galley of the Shirley N that probably entered Rudy's mind many a day as he set the gear each morning: "Lord, have mercy on us, for the sea is so great, and my boat is so small." Rest in Peace, Rudy Neuser.

Jenifer Olson

January 4, 2013

Dear Shirley and family, Dad just returned from your home and called to tell me about Rudy. I am so sad. I loved Rudy and I love you Shirley. You know that many of my childhood memories are of both of you. Even I was his little canary. Who could forget Rudy's milkshakes, smoked salmon, or clam chowder? I will always cherish my video of Rudy telling me how to make his chowder. I will never forget the drama of moving the pool table into the basement of the Dash Point home, the night Dad and Rudy cooked live Dungeness crab in a metal garbage can on the top of our stove, and melted the seal around the range, the many nights I slept in your home while my parents were on one of their many adventures, Rudy coming out of the house to tell me to have a good day as I walked to school, or most importantly the day that Rudy allowed me to steer the Shirley N. There are so many more memories, and I will spend the next few days cherishing them. How grateful I am that Ted and my daughters were able to also spend time with Rudy. Love, Jenifer Girard Olson

January 4, 2013

Shirley and Family,
Our prayers are with you at this time.
We have seen Carol a few times but it has been years since we have seen you and your family. I remember Rudy and the good times we use to have getting together at the great-aunt and uncles for holidays or birthdays. We have been able to visit Sis at the Foss home several times, but miss the celebrations with Signe, Solveig, Astrid (my grandmother)and Inge and the rest.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and in the future.
John Melver
(Elsie and Roald's son)

Ginny and I in Hawaii

David Larson

January 4, 2013

Dear Shirley and family: How the years go by . The family crew of the Shirley N with Rudy and you at the wheel was a union dedication, love and understanding that infected all that knew you both . That time on the waterfront with people like you , Art Johnson , bob Mccool and others made a big difference in the life of a young fisherman growing up . Thanks for all the memories David , Ginny and Kate Larson

Nancy Winder

January 3, 2013

Shirley and all Rudy's family - we send our love in these days. Sis would love to share her greetings as well, but she has been at the Foss Home in Seattle after she broke her pelvis in November. (She is doing much better!) But she was so sad today when I told her about Rudy. She said, "We all grew up together and had so much fun." I am sorry none of us can join you tomorrow, but you will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Nancy Winder (Av's daughter)

January 3, 2013

I'll miss you Uncle Rudy. You had a way of making me always feel special. I hold dear my special little nickname. Love Mary Marie

January 3, 2013

Shirley, Just a quick note to tell you, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Bev Corwin

January 3, 2013

Thank YOU for your service and for keeping our Country free. Wish we had more who cared enough to serve our Country to keep our FREEDOM!!

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