Robert “Bob” Rude, 92

Robert “Bob” M. Rude passed away on Nov. 29, 2023 at 92 years of age in the home of Diane and Duane Toavs in Taylor, Texas. Bob was born on Aug. 31, 1931 in Bemidji, Minnesota the eldest son of Millard and Ida (Eichstaedt) Rude.

Bob graduated from Bemidji High School in 1950 and attended college at Bemidji State University for one year before enlisting in the United States Air Force serving four years as a cryptographer. Bob was stationed in Yakota Japan with the B1 Bomber division where he enjoyed playing baseball with the Raiders Baseball team. Upon separation from service in December 1955 as a Staff Sergeant, he received the following military commendations: the Korean Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. 

Bob and Carol married on June 4, 1955 in Bemidji and raised their family in Columbia Falls, where Bob worked for the Plum Creek Lumber Company. Bob retired as a Shipping Supervisor from Plum Creek after 36 years of employment. Bob and Carol retired to beautiful Lake Victoria in Alexandria, Minnesota where Bob worked for the Holiday Inn until his second retirement. They loved boating, canoeing, and fishing on lakes in Montana and Minnesota. However, their favorite activity was catching and eating walleye in Minnesota. Bob loved watching sports, was a member of the Kiwanis, and worshiped at the New Life Christian Church in Alexandria.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Carol Rude, of 68 wonderful years, four daughters: Vicki Lovering (Clint), Cheryl Thielhorn, Rene Bauer (Larry), Diane Toavs (Duane), eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and many relatives and friends. Preceding him in death are his younger brother, James Rude from Thief River Falls, Minnesota; his older sister Lorraine Rude, and his parents Millard Almer Rude and Ida Louise Rude (Eichstaedt) from Bemidji, Minnesota.