Herbert "Herb" Rudolf

1939 - 2017

Rudolf, Herbert "Herb" age 77, went to his eternal home in the arms of the Lord, surrounded by his loving family on Friday, February 3, 2017, at Ivy Manor in West Bend. He was born on July 25, 1939 in Milwaukee, WI to Joseph and Erna (Nee Reinecke) Rudolf. Herb graduated from Custer High School and joined the Air Force Reserves in 1957 through 1965. He married the love of his life Dorothy "Dotti" (Nee Taylor) Rudolf on June 20, 1959. He graduated Milwaukee Institute of Technology in 1960 with a Mechanical Design Engineering degree. He was a Fluid Power Engineer with C.L. Thompson and SMC. Herb was a member of Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Experimental Aircraft Association and became a member of the Warbirds and founded Healing and Prison Ministries at St. John's Lutheran Church in West Bend. He was a founding member of the Living Word Lutheran High School Board. Herb's hobbies included hunting, landscaping, antiquing, architecture, cooking, aircraft, firearms and automobiles. He spent much time attending his children and grandchildren's activities. He enjoyed long rides in his Mustang convertible and had a great love for animals. Herb is survived by his children Robin (Randall) Abel, Wendy (John) Spartz, Lisa (David) Kaehny, Daniel (Cheryl) Rudolf, Pete (Peggy) Rudolf all of West Bend; grandchildren Mitchell (Katie) and Arianna Abel, Aly and Drew Spartz, Erin (Steven) Ruplinger, Daniel, Megan and Natalie Kaehny, Trisha (Jay) Valind, Katelyn (Jake) Larson, Lexi (Nate) Jensen, Macki (Tim Schweiger) and Christian Rudolf, Jacob and Alex Rudolf; great-grandchildren Morgan and Leah Ruplinger, Rylee Valind, Bailey Larson, Kinsley Jensen; sisters Elisabeth "Liz" Zaupa, Edith "Edie" (Bob) Hahn; brothers-in-law Denny (Mary) Taylor and Terry Taylor. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Herbert is preceded in death by his wife Dotti, parents, mother-in-law Clara Taylor and father-in-law Daniel Taylor, sisters-in-law Jean Taylor and Kathe Taylor, brother-in-law Al Zaupa, and nephew John Zaupa. A Funeral Service will be at 12:30PM on Friday, February 10, 2017 at St. John's Lutheran Church (809 S. 6th Ave. West Bend, WI 53095) with Rev. Jeff Dorth presiding. Visitation will be at church from 10:30AM until the time of service (12:30PM). Military Honors to follow service. Interment to follow at Washington County Memorial Park. Memorials are appreciated to the Care Ministry of St. John's Lutheran Church. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Serenity Hospice especially Connie and Tracy for their love and compassion, the loving care given by Ivy Manor in West Bend, Silver Springs of Germantown, and the lay ministry and pastoral staff from St. John's Lutheran Church for all the care, compassion and support they provided Herb and his family. The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family. (262) 338-2050 www.phillipfuneralhome.com