Rudy Dean BELTON

1946 - 2015

BELTON, Rudy Dean
(1946 - 2015)

Rudy Dean Belton, age 68, passed away at his home in Austin, Texas on Tuesday, September 8, 2015. The cause of death was cancer. Rudy was born on November 11, 1946 in McPherson, Kansas, the son of Florence and Gaylord Belton. He grew up on the family farm in Lost Springs, Kansas and graduated from high school in Wamego, Kansas. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kansas in 1968 where he made lifetime friendships and became a dedicated fan of KU basketball. Rudy was appointed to the College Advisory Board of KU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and was a member of KU's Chancellors Club. Throughout his college days, he served on the staff of U.S. Congressman Everett Dirksen, followed by military duty as a counter intelligence agent in the U.S. Army, including a year in Vietnam.

Rudy earned a J.D. from Whittier College School of Law in 1979. Although admitted to the State Bar of California, he pursued a career in real estate rather than the practice of law. Rudy was an entrepreneur with many business ventures but primarily real estate development and management. He formed his own firm, Belco Equities, Inc. in 1984 and his real estate activities included projects in California, Utah, Oklahoma and Texas.

Rudy moved to Austin from Los Angeles in 2003 where Belco Equities, along with several affiliates, acquired and/or developed numerous multi-family properties including two affordable housing units, as well as land developments and commercial, office and single-family residential properties. Rudy generously shared his time and business acumen with others, offering support and guidance to many. In 2013, Belco Equities was named one of Austin's "Top Workplaces" by the Austin American Statesman, including the 10th Best Place to Work among small companies.

As a dedicated community volunteer, Rudy served a number of organizations. He was a Big Brother for eight years in the Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles and still enjoys a close relationship, 40 years later, with his little brother. He also served on the Board of Trustees for Carlthorp School in Santa Monica, CA. He established the Gaylord Belton Scholarship Fund for graduating seniors from Wamego High School in Kansas to attend college. He supported the Kansas Women's Leadership Institute and created the Florence and Gaylord Belton Opportunity Fund at the University of Kansas. In Austin, he completed his seventh year on the Board of Directors and was a Past President of Family Eldercare, a 32 year old non-profit service for the elderly. He was also a strong supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project. Rudy's humanitarian work, often from behind the scenes, touched the lives of many throughout several communities.

Rudy is survived by his loving wife Sally Belton, his two sons Trevor and Alistair and their mother Kathryn of Los Angeles, and his sister Marilyn Reznick of New York City. He is also survived by his stepson Keith Thornton.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the entire Belco team for their dedication and unwavering support, and to all the caregivers and friends who made Rudy's last days so sweet and comfortable.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, September 16th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home on North Lamar. Funeral services will be held at Tarrytown United Methodist Church on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to one of Rudy's favorite charities, including Family Eldercare, KU Endowment Fund & the Wounded Warrior Project.

Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com