Rudolph Ernest Mancke III

I was wandering in the woods of Florence SC at age 12 and wondered if there was a nature program. I was blessed enough to find Naturescene. I called Rudy during a fundraiser for ETV and talked about how I was teased by classmates for watching him. He told me to be myself and pursue my dreams. I was not smart enough to be a naturalist but I look out of the window of the Boeing 737 I fly for an airline often remembering Rudy as I look at the vast nature below. God Bless you Rudy for the...

When I see something outside that I have a question about, I still catch myself saying "Rudy would know the answer. I'll ask him the next time I see him." I will probably always think that.

Never forget signing up for one of his tours through Congaree Swamp on a Saturday morning several years ago. Drove to Columbia that morning just as the rains began to set in. Not knowing whether to turn back or continue on, we pulled into the parking in a light rain. A few others showed up, most of us from enough distance to want to continue the drive, not knowing whether we´d actually get to walk through the woods that rainy morning. Right on time Rudy showed up, put on his rain jacket and...

I have known Rudy since around 1979 through SCAN, going on several nature trips and learning so much from him (and Tom). I already knew a bit about birds, insects, and plants, but I had never heard such interesting stories and explanations. Rudy seemed to know how all of nature worked, and conveyed true wonder. He made us feel as if we were in his shoes. I am so glad my daughter Annah was able to meet him and attend two of the events at the S.C. Railroad Museum. Rudy is a person I had...

Moved to the Midlands from Texas in 2015 and truly got to know and love the area by watching Rudy Mancke on ETV. He made everything interesting

NatureScene was a gift to a friend of mine. He lost his vision as an adult and missed watching television. NatureScene was the only show he could really enjoy. That says something really special about Mr. Mancke's gift of communication. He touched lives of people he never knew.

So sorry for your loss. Rudy was a very exceptional person.

He touched so many lives - plant, animal and human alike - showing us our oneness