William J Rudy

William J. “Bill” Rudy completed his work on Earth on June 19, 2021. Born April 19, 1929, in Liscomb, Iowa, to Goldie and Clayton Rudy, who preceded him in death, Bill led an exemplary life of service to his country, community, friends, and above all, family.

As a 1952 graduate of Iowa State College, Bill went on to earn a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.

Commissioned as a US Air Force officer, Bill served ten years on active duty followed by ten years in the Air Force Reserve and retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel. Bill continued to serve our country as a research scientist for defense contractor Kaman Sciences of Colorado Springs beginning in 1962. There, he played a vital role in the development of strategic systems for the US Navy, including the Polaris, Poseidon, and Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile programs. He retired as a vice president of Kaman Sciences in 1992.

In service to the community, Bill was a committed leader within several charitable organizations, most notably the Garden of the Gods Rotary Club, in which he had 54 years of perfect attendance, served as president in 1978-1979, and was named a three-time Paul Harris Fellow. He served as member and president of Colorado Springs School Board District 11, having been elected on his promise to build what is now Coronado High School on the city’s west side.

Bill shared his love of the outdoors with his children, all of whom continue to respect and enjoy all that it has to offer. He was an avid athlete, playing semi-pro baseball while attending college in Iowa and softball in local leagues wherever he lived up to age 82. He was a devoted fan of the Air Force Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Colorado Rockies. His greatest passion later in life became playing his weekly game of golf with friends.

Bill is survived by his sister Mary Dunblazier of St. Petersburg, FL, his six children, Rex (Val) Rudy, Kelly (Catalina) Rudy, Kristi Rudy, Timothy Rudy, Lisbeth (Sean) Kinney, and Kathleen (Brian) Hubel along with his six grandchildren, Sam (Katie) and Margaret Rudy, Evan and Shea Kinney, and Oliver and Zoe Hubel, plus numerous nieces, nephews and his first wife, Joanne Damon Butcher. He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Shirley, along with brothers John and Clarence Rudy.

A memorial service will be held at Swan Law Funeral Directors, 501 N. Cascade Ave., Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of sending flowers, donations can be made in his name to Garden of the Gods Rotary at Rotary 5470.org or to Colorado Springs Rotary Champions, PO Box 876, Colorado Springs, CO 80901.