Lynwood (Lyndy) Paul Rudolph passed away peacefully on November 11, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri.
He was born September 18, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Edward and Nelda (Koester) Rudolph.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 34 years Betty Jean (Bayless) Rudolph, his son Jeffrey (Karen) preceded him in death in 2010, and his brother Roy Rudolph.
Lyndy is survived by his wife of the past 28 years, Betty Vaal-Rudolph. He is also survived by his three sons; Michael Rudolph (Cathy) of Carlisle, PA, Steven Rudolph (Nancy) of St. Louis, MO, and Donald Rudolph (Denise) of Ballwin, MO. He is also the stepfather to Vicki Kerns-Vaal (Jimmy). Lyndy was the proud patriarch of an extended family of nine grandchildren: Bryan Rudolph, Christopher Rudolph (Lauren), Shelby Rudolph (Jackman Eschenroeder), Cameron Rudolph, Kevin Rudolph (Emily), Kylee Rudolph, Brayden Rudolph, Kayla Kerns-Vaal, and Amy Schneider.
Lyndy possessed an amazing mix of incredible intellect and talents, and he demonstrated them throughout his life. He was always attuned to everyone’s needs and available to provide timely and astute assistance to his family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers in need. He never met a problem he couldn’t solve and was a master craftsman who could build and repair everything. If you ever needed help, Lyndy was your 911 guy.
He graduated from Beaumont High School in St. Louis in 1951. He served proudly in the Navy for 32 years (4 on active duty, 28 in the Reserves), retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer in 1983. He served as a Flight Engineer on C-118 aircraft and flew missions around the globe – delivering cargo, sailors, and Marines to Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, throughout the Western Pacific, and the Caribbean, to include missions in Vietnam during the height of the Vietnam conflict and missions to support the Cuban Missile Crisis.
For more than a decade, Lyndy volunteered as a leader in the Boy Scouts, Troop 538 in Jennings, MO. He and his best friends Bill Ronan and Frank Cervellere led the troop through hundreds of training events, campouts, hikes, and “field trips” to Naval Air Station Glenview, near Chicago throughout the 1960s and 1970s, positively influencing young men and building their character and life skills.
He worked for more than 30 years for Lyon Sheet Metal Works as a member of Local 36 of the Sheet Metal Workers Union, retiring as a Superintendent. His craftsmanship is on display throughout the St. Louis region.
Lyndy Rudolph will be interred in Bellefontaine Cemetery on November 20 2021 with full Military Honors for his honorable and faithful service to our nation and his family.
It would be a great honor for Lyndy to be remembered through contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, ALS Association, Gideon’s International or a charity of your choice.
Rest in peace faithful patriot – and faithful servant to your family and many friends. You will be sorely missed, but never ever forgotten.
Services: Visitation at KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, 10151 Gravois, Saturday, November 20, 8:30 a.m. until funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Interment Bellefontaine Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, ALS Association or charity of your choice.
Although words cannot begin to ease the sorrow of your loss please know that you are in the prayers of many. I have known Lyndy and Roy since Beaumont. Lyndy and Betty at Chapel of the Cross and Amirons – many memories. Cherish your memories you had great parents and grandparents. Gods Blessings and our love – Ernie and Lois Foster
I worked for Lindy Rudolph many years ago at Monsanto. I was the second sheet-metal worker in local 36. That was a time when women were pretty new. At first Lindy was not happy to see me coming. He got used to it after a while. He had a great reputation as a craftsman head superintendent. I’m sorry to hear of his passing. I have just now read of all of his other accomplishments. It was quite a life. He was lucky to have lived such a long and happy life. I had met his wife at the Sheet Metal workers picnic a very long time ago. I believe that they were recently married at that time. He was very happy. I would like to think of him remaining that happy. I condolences to his family. I will remember him always
Betty, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Vicki, to you and your family as well. I always enjoyed trading emails with him many years ago.
Don and Jeanie Curtis, Fairview, TX.