John Robert Rude

John Rude of Chatham, MA passed peacefully on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at the age of 94. His long and rich life was filled with happiness and great satisfaction, punctuated by many achievements which brought him an immense sense of fulfilment and about which his family and friends are extremely proud.

John’s long life began on July 13, 1930 in Jersey City, New Jersey, born to John and Julia (Wesner) Rude. He spent his childhood in Irvington, New Jersey and attended public schools until graduation in 1947. In high school, he participated in orchestra, marching band, glee club and football. He was also inducted into the local DeMolay chapter, a Masonic Sect for young men. Always an industrious young man, while still in high school he went to work at the Prudential Insurance Co. in Newark, NJ pioneering use of early IBM accounting machines.

He was extremely proud of his 4 years of service in the US Air Force during the Korean war as an aircraft electrician, stationed in several locations in the US as well as Korea. After discharge in 1954, he returned to Prudential, enrolling in their first computer programming class.

In 1956, he married Barbara Barlow and had 3 children; Douglas, Alison and Eric, and lived in Chatham, NJ. Busy building a new family and his career, he was accepted into the Seton Hall business management program where he nonetheless worked overtime attending evening classes working towards his BA and then an MBA in Finance.

John’s long and successful career in Information Technology continued, working for Prudential until 1960, and then National Cash Register, American Standard, Citibank, and Auerbach Associates. His last career move was to ITT Corp. as Director of Corporate Systems at HQ, Manager of Systems development at Continental Baking and IT management at Sheraton Hotel Corp.

John and his wife Barbara lived in Chatham, NJ until 1985, retiring to their summer home in Chatham, MA on Cape Cod in 1987. Barbara died from a long battle with metastatic breast cancer in 1991. After becoming friends through meeting at St. Christoper’s Episcopal Church, he married Nancy Whalen in 1993, who had been widowed.

John’s life in Chatham, MA were some of his fondest, and he and Nancy enjoyed many years participating in church and other organizations and travelling in the US and abroad. Never one to remain idle, he kept busy after retirement with local jobs in banking real estate and, most notably, at the Chatham Hardware Store, which was where he felt at home among tools and thinking about DIY projects.

His volunteer work included being a member of the HBDC, treasurer of the Creative Arts Center, vestry of St. Christopher’s Church, other church committees and the choir. One of his greatest pleasures was singing, and he and Nancy were long-time members of the Notables, a popular local singing group.

He is survived by his three children: Douglas (wife Bernice), Alison and Eric; as well as two step-children: Robert (wife Sue) and Jay. He was also very proud of his five grandchildren: Bryan (wife Jazmin), Elizabeth (husband Michael), Jake, Benjamin and Samuel. He also recently welcomed his first great-grandchild, Isabella.

A memorial service will take place 11 AM Friday, October 25, 2024 at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church 625 Main St., Chatham, MA. Burial was private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John's name can be made to St. Christopher's Episcopal Church in Chatham, MA.