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David Rudd Obituary
David O. Rudd
SPRINGFIELD - David O. Rudd, 56, of Springfield died at 4:55 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born March 4, 1955 in Elmhurst, IL to John Owen and Pauline Lumina Pelletier Rudd and they preceded him in death.
He married Gayla S. Smith on July 14, 1984 and she survives. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Kendra (Allen) Millard of Shelton, WA and Nancy (Mark) Heard of Sesser, IL; a brother-in-law, Ron Smith of West Frankfort, IL; mother-in-law, Eileen Smith of West Frankfort, IL; several nieces and nephews and his Bouvier, Kozmo.
David lived in Springfield for the past 27 years. He received a BA in Political Science in May of 1977 from SIU Carbondale and a JD from SIUC School of Law in May of 1980.
He was employed by Gallatin-River Communications as a Lobbyist and Attorney and formerly worked at the Illinois Commerce Commission.
He was a member of the Island Bay Yacht Club, Illinois Telecommunications Association, Illinois Bar Association and was a Registered Lobbyist. He enjoyed sailing and boating, traveling and was a great cook.
A Private Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Protective League.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Rudd
Steve Appell
July 20, 2011
Gayla, I was so sorry to hear about Dave. I always enjoyed talking with Dave about our shared love of Bouviers and will miss seeing him when I am in Springpatch. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Kozmo.
July 19, 2011
Gayla, I was so very saddened when I heard of the passing of David. Robert and I had so much fun when we were with you and David at your parties or at our fondue parties. He always made the room light up with his laughter. One would always find Robert and David in the (state room) at our house during the fondue party. My prayers are with you Gayla and your family. Jamie Lane
Carrie Tomso
July 11, 2011
So very sorry for your loss. David was such a nice person and I always enjoyed a friendly conversation with him when I worked at the Illinois Commerce Commission. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
barb brammer
July 11, 2011
Gayla - I was so shocked and saddened to hear about David. Lisa and I will be thinking of you and remembering happier times....
Kathy Lange
July 11, 2011
I will never forget this wonderful friend! Best friend ever. I am so grateful for what I learned about friendship from this most amazing man. David, I love you!
Please take care, dear Gayla! I will always be here for you. Kiss the Koz for me. XOXOXO
Tiffany McElroy-Smetzer
July 11, 2011
Gayla, I was so sorry to hear of David's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Tiffany
Molly Berns
July 11, 2011
Gayla - I had the pleasure of working with David at the Commerce Commission. We spent a lot of hours together at the State House and he worked tirelessly without losing his professionalism. And most important, he did it all without losing his sense of humor. I could always count on him to put things in perspective at the end of the day with his quick and very welcomed wit. He always came in for work on Monday mornings recharged having spent the weekend with the person he loved most. My thoughts are with you.
Patrick Welch
July 10, 2011
I knew Dave when he lobbied the Senator on behalf ofhis clients. I was always glad to see him and hear his take on the legislation before our committee. He was always aware of both sides of issues and would tell me of the effect of the legislation on my district.
He was always upbeat, friendly and courteous. He was a great witness before the committee, able to rebut any argument thrown at him.
This is a great loss.
Lynn Koskey
July 9, 2011
To David's wife and family:
I am so shocked and sorry for the loss of such a nice person. I worked with David at the Illinois Commerce Commission many, many years ago. He was liked by many and will be missed. May God be with you and your family....and his friends too.
Lynn (Coniglio) Koskey
Jo Johnson
July 8, 2011
I'm so sorry to hear of Dave's passing. We had so much fun back in the days when I staffed telecommunications issues. My thoughts & prayers are with you, Gayla.
July 8, 2011
I worked with David for such a short time before he retired. I appreciated his common sense, humor, and knowledge of Illinois telecom and politics. One quick story: He once told me, out of the blue, "I love my house, I love my life." Keeping David's wife and family in my thoughts and prayers. Sue Benedek, CenturyLink, Pennsylvania
Vickie Norris
July 8, 2011
My condolences. I worked with David off and on for many years since we both started with Centel and ended up with CenturyLink. My thoughts will be with his family during this difficult time.
July 8, 2011
I was sadden to hear of David's passing. He and I worked together the past couple years at CenturyLink. Last year when I came to Illinois for a visit, David and I toured the Lincoln Museum. He was a great host.
My prayers....Kathy A. Daniels, Government Relations Manager
Cindy Smith
July 7, 2011
Gayla,honey,I am so sorry for your loss.Even though I am no longer a part of your family,you all have always remained in a special part of my heart....Cindy S.
JoAnne Johnson
July 7, 2011
David was a very, very good man. Loyal and true. He and Dougherty were my godfathers around the rail and Dave showed me where the hidden offices were. He and Michael Shultz and I were the 'midsize alliance' and he took care of me when I was a baby lobbyist. But more than that, he was my friend and I loved him. I will miss him greatly. Gayla, I'm so sorry for your loss, for all of us who have lost such a valuable soul. Rest easy my friend.
July 7, 2011
Gayla, David so adored you. He frequently told me how proud he was of you. Every day when I opened my E-Mail the first message I always read was from D.O.Rudd. I am sad I will not be seeing that message any more. He was so excited about the dinner he planned for your birthday celebration. I'm glad you have that memory of time with him. He was a good and constant friend for over 30 years and my life will be less without him in it. May the love of friends help ease your pain. Mona Lamkin.
Darrell Townsley
July 7, 2011
It is a sad day for the Illinois telecommunications community and for Saluki alumns and friends of Dave's everywhere. I will miss his low-key, good nature and wit. My thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family; may they be blessed with comfort, strength, faith and hope during this difficult time.
Michael Ward
July 7, 2011
I have known David for over two decades. He was one of the earliest members of the Good Guys, a group of telecom types who would gather annually to just enjoy each other's company. We would often kid about when he was going to take me sailing on his yacht on beautiful Lake Springfield. On each trip to Springfield, I would look forward to seeing him around the rail, and even more so at dinner to just shoot the breeze, whether it be about telecom or about our many acquaintances. Fortunately, I was able to enjoy his company on my trip to the Capitol this past spring. He was telling me about his upcoming retirement and we promised to stay in touch. He will be sorely missed, but much cherished in memory and yarn. The Good Guys will still be toasting David when we gather to tell war stoties and lies about past adventures. Rest in peace, Dave.
July 7, 2011
David's Family and Beloved Bouvier,
I am so sorry to learn of this. I worked for years in the Illinois GA and David came to our office on many occasions. He was a great guy with a great smile. May God comfort you during this time and the days to come.
Sincerely, Carol Higgason
Jeff Ferry
July 7, 2011
David was a great guy with a wonderful sense of humor and always available to lend a hand or offer good advice. He will be missed. My sincere condolences go out to Gayla and his family.
July 7, 2011
We are sorry for the loss of David Rugg. He was great to work with in the telecommunication industry. We will keep the family in our prayers during this time of sorrow.
Joey Bales
CenturyLink
Monroe, LA
Jim Monk
July 7, 2011
I am so sorry to hear of David's passing. He was a terrific guy and a great conversationalist. My sincere condolences to his family. Jim Monk, Illinois Energy Association
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