Daniel Rudolph

Dan was raised in Long Beach NY, a community that he loved and returned to visit many times with his children and grandchildren; teaching them all to body surf was his specialty. A resident of 10th Street since the early seventies, Dan seemed to know everyone in Greenwich Village. Whenever he walked along the streets, there would be continuous greetings from friends along the way. He loved that connection and he truly cared for people. It is what made him such a great friend and successful and well-respected Dentist in his community. His office was unique. Humming along with his partner Susan Stern and run by the unflappable Rose and Dianne, long term, devoted employees, with lively music blasting in the background and the maestro effortlessly leading his team. A graduate of NYU Dental School, Dan loved the city and relished the colorful neighborhood in which he lived and practiced. The office attracted a wide array of loyal patients from a local restaurateur who cracked his teeth at the running of the bulls in Spain to the Oscar winner, F. Murray Abraham. Jerry Orbach was a regular at the office for many years and regaled staff and fellow patients with stories of life on the stage. It was always a lively mix at the office on 9th Street. So it was no surprise to anyone when in the early eighties, Dan announced he would open a restaurant on 6th Avenue, which became Lox Around the Clock. Located next to Limelight, Lox became an overnight sensation and had nothing short of a cult following. Within a year, he opened a second restaurant; Pipeline in the World Financial Center. With a view of the Hudson River, it quickly became an after work hot spot and a main stay of the growing Battery Park community. Since 1971, he was a proud member of what became known as the longest running pickup basketball game in New York City, he rarely missed a Tuesday night game at PS 41. He loved the game and cherished the many friendships he made in the 40 plus years he played there. A loyal friend, he'd banter with everyone who showed up, be they in their twenties or seventies. He famously said "if your doctor advises you to stop playing basketball the only thing to do is to change doctor". When Phil Jackson played for the Knicks, he also occasionally joined the Tuesday night game and became a close friend. Years later, as everyone got together at a Los Angeles restaurant during a Chicago Bulls Championship series, it was Dan rather than Phil, that drew the shout out from a fan. Recognizing Dan from across a crowded room, Billy Crystal shouted "Dan Rudolph #22!" Amazing as the two hadn't seen each other since attending Long Beach High School in the early sixties - somehow Billy had complete recall of Dan's high school basketball number. Years later Dan's dental practice and love of the game converged, when through it, he introduced Joakim Noah to Phil Jackson and ultimately helped add a new team member to the Knicks. Dan was full of life. He was a loving parent and grandparent - would talk endlessly about the ups and downs of his kids, grandkids and step-kids; a loyal and devoted friend, a totally involved New Yorker, a sports fan for all seasons-Knicks and Rangers season ticket holder, follower of Giants and Yankees, went to more rock 'n roll concerts than anyone, loved Broadway musicals, and was a fixture for decades at the Knickerbocker restaurant in the Village. He genuinely will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy and his children, Matthew, Jake and Hays Rudolph and Takira, Shane and Kelsy Tela, seven grandchildren, brother Ira, sister, Karen, and countless friends. Memorial will be held at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 W. 76th Street, New York, NY 10023 on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 12:30pm.