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Joel Rudy Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Joel Rudy
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John Bartman
July 20, 2024
I was saddened to learn of Joel's recent passing. To say he was a man of character and love is an understatement! I met him 55 years ago when I worked as a Resident Advisor at the University of Miami under Head Residents Dick Streeter and Mike Veranno, and graduate assistants John Leatherwood, John Fullerton, and Dave Islitzer. Joel set the agenda and provided immense leadership. He was quite the communicator. Students were his priority. I followed him to Kent State in 1972 as a Resident Director in a small dormitory. I'm sorry to say I lost touch with him after that as he moved to Ohio University and I moved on to a job outside academia. He was quite an influence on my life and I am honored to say I knew him. My sympathies to his family and friends.
Rick Brown
May 11, 2024
I knew Joel as a student at Ohio and as an alum. As a student he was a great and devoted dean and respected by all. He was just a great guy - and that is a high compliment. If colleges in the USA had men (or women) like him in leadership positions our colleges and universities would be much better then they currently are. Your life and service are very much appreciated. RIP Joel.
Brends Carpenter
May 10, 2024
A wonderful and much missed neighbor
David Spatcher
February 25, 2024
My wife and I met Joel a few years ago in Florida. We rented the condo next to him and his lovely wife Marlene. He greeted us with how can I help you and do you need anything. What a wonderful reception to the Privatere. Always just always he would show that beautiful personality. We had many fun dinners on numerous restaurants with Joel and Marlene. I morn his departure. I always enjoyed his company. I don’t think he ever met a stranger.. I know he was loved by all that knew him.my wife Patti and I cherished our friendship with Joel and Marlene
Dave&Patti Spatchet
West Bend WI
Rick Brown
January 9, 2024
In my many interactions with Rudy during my time on the Foundation Board and COB Executive Advisory Board, I found him to be knowledgeable, caring and collegial and a great supporter and representative of Ohio University. He will be missed by many and I extend my condolences, thoughts and prayers to his family.
Terry Worthington
January 7, 2024
Joel was a guy I knew briefly. He is central to memories that will last forever. Wish I had known him more deeply.
Rob Moffat
January 2, 2024
Rest in Peace Joel. You were the best example of what a university administrator should be. You touched thousands of lives.
David Disher
January 2, 2024
Rest in Peace. Thank you for your tenure at OU. You touched many lives and you will be remembered.
Mary F
January 1, 2024
I had the privilege of knowing Joel from his participation on the Board at the Fort Myers Beach condos. Joel was the conscience of the Association and by that I mean his moral center guided him. He was listened to not only because he understood rules but because he communicated with gentleness. I think I read in the other postings here that Joel never met a stranger. I'd like to build on that and say that perhaps Joel believed a stranger is just a part of you that you do not yet know. My condolences to Marlene and family, may you find comfort. Mary F, Fort Myers Beach.
(Denise) Elaine Conrad
December 31, 2023
Many will always remember Joel as 'Dean Rudy', but to me he was always 'Dad Rudy'.
Lisa and I were good friends when we were young and I spent many hours at their house. Anytime we went to Alden Library after school, it always included a stop at his office to say hello.
In later years, while I was completing my theatre degree at OU, whenever I encountered Joel, he always greeted me with a smile and a big hug; introducing me to whoever he was with as his 'extra daughter'.
Graduation day was no exception to that! I switched lines so that I'd receive my degree from him and right there on stage in front of everyone, he pulled me into a great big hug❤
This world is truly a darker place without his light shining upon us all...
My sincere condolences and love to Mom Marlene, Lisa, and Brian. Know that he will Always be with you.
Joan Baldwin
December 31, 2023
There are not enough words in the English language for me to express how much the Rudy family means to me. Joel, your heart was huge, your sense of humor hilarious, and you never met a stranger. My heart is heavy, but I’m so glad you are at peace. You will live forever in our hearts. xo
Brenda Carpenter
December 31, 2023
A man of integrity and a lover of animals he will be so missed in our neighborhood . A good man.
Devbi Brock
December 30, 2023
Every student who went through OU knew Dean Rudy - this summary is perfect.
Joel was a champion of his students. He was a champion of character. He was a champion of love. Foremost, he was a champion to his family, and that family was broad, stretching beyond his cousins and close family friends: Joel never met a stranger. His quick and sincere warmth set even the most nervous freshman at ease. His legacy will live on in the lives he touched, in the values his children and grandchildren hold dear, and in the lives of those he encouraged along the way.
Neva Kemplin
December 30, 2023
Joel was such a wonderful friend and neighbor to us. I always enjoyed his friendship and conversations we had. It was special to us to meet up with him and Marlene in Flordia and go on boat rides and out to dinner together. We will surely miss you Joel. God bless Marlene, Brian and Lisa and their family.
The Kemplin Family
Stacey Castle
December 30, 2023
So sad to hear about his passing. I enjoyed working with him years ago. He was always very gracious and patient. I remember first meeting him at the photo shoot for the cover of the Phi Kappa Tau magazine. We took lots of pictures because it was the cover and he did what ever we asked him to do. Just a very gentle man. Working with him was such a pleasure. He will be greatly missed. He told many stories of his times on campus. It meant so much to him, that and family.
Duane & Lynn Andrews
December 29, 2023
So sorry to hear of Joel's passing. Joel genuinely cared about people....If he ask how you were doing, he was sincere. If you were having a problem, he wanted to know how he could help. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
Bethany Deines
December 29, 2023
I am so saddened to learn of Joel's death. He made a profound impact on me while we worked together at Phi Kappa Tau. My favorite memory was when he took some of us out on his boat near Sanibel. That boat could fly and Joel was having the time of his life...we all were. He was a tremendous leader, educator, and role model. How fortunate so many of us were to call him our friend. May his memory always be a blessing!
John Evener
December 29, 2023
One of the nicest, fellows I ever met. Joel would always take time to talk to you with undivided attention, and make you feel important. R.I.P. my friend.
David Wrage
December 29, 2023
I've known Joel for years although while I was at Ohio University I did call him Dean Rudy. He always had words of encouragement for me every time I saw him on campus or later somewhere in Athens. I was just talking about him this past Christmas weekend during a family discussion about how things had changed on campus in the last 30-40 years. Everyone I know or knew had a deep respect for him.
My heartfelt sorrow and condolences go out to his family. I will greatly miss his presence and I know many others will too.
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