Rudy was born in the small village of Oberradling along the border of Hungary and Austria where he lived a simple but happy life. While his passport says he was born in Hungary, Rudy always proudly stated that he was an Austrian. Rudy’s father passed away of a heart condition at an early age of 32 years. His grandfather helped to raise Rudy, his older sister, Gisela, and younger brother, Franzel. Rudy formed a special bond with his grandfather and always spoke highly of this well traveled educated man. Rudy faced a life of many challenges; the first when he was diagnosed with rheumatic fever at a young age and the doctors did not give him much hope for recovery. Rudy had other ideas however and went on to live a very fruitful life of almost 94 years.
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>> His childhood was spent hiking the mountains of Hungary/Austria where he formed his lifetime love of the outdoors. He developed a wanderer’s curiosity and a love for music. He learned to play the violin…a skill that would come into play several years later. When he was 18, he enlisted to join the war effort. Initially he wanted to serve as a U-boat crewman but the doctor who tested him thought this was a deadly mistake and instead redirected Rudy to join the German Military police, a much safer position. He also went on to assist medical personnel in a triage unit and attend to wounded soldiers. It was here where he first encountered the horror of war. His saving grace was that he never had to fire a gun at anyone and vowed to never pick up a gun again. Shortly thereafter he was captured by Russian soldiers and held as a POW. While awaiting to be shipped north towards Russia, the soldiers learned that Rudy could play violin and knew some Russian folk songs. When he played the violin for the Russians it brought fond memories of their homeland. As the days wore on, friendships materialized and one day just before he was to be shipped out, a few soldiers let him escape to a farmhouse to hideout until the end of the war. After several weeks on the road he finally made it back home.
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>> After the war he decided to pursue a new life in England. He moved to Sheffield and worked various jobs, including one at a factory that made bricks and one that made electric razors. He had many fond memories of his years in England but found he couldn’t get ahead. It was here that he met Maria and got married. Seeking a better life, they immigrated to Canada, landing in Calgary. Rudy had several jobs over the years, including working at Nutty Club Candy warehouse. They bought their first home within 2 years of immigrating to Canada. After a few years Rudy went on to work at the hospital as part of the janitorial staff. It was here where their daughters Mary Anne and Kathy were born.
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>> Always looking to better themselves, they decided to move to Victoria and start a new life once again. They were industrious and frugal. They bought an apartment building and a beautiful house in Gordon Head. They operated a Charley Chuckles greeting card business, co-owned a Shop Easy grocery store and Rudy also worked at the Victoria Police station as a janitor. They had a knack for making money in real estate which often required long hours and effort on their behalf.
>> When their marriage broke down, Rudy decided to move back to Vancouver and was hired as Supervisor of the cleaning services department at Vancouver City Hall. He was very proud of this role as it was very high profile, working with Mayors Harcourt and Campbell and the various dignitaries who visited the Vancouver City Hall. It was from here that Rudy retired over 30 years ago. He dabbled with fishing in his retirement years, but his true love was travelling in his motor home that he bought once he entered retirement. He traveled throughout North America and Mexico and loved to spend extended periods of time snow-birding in Las Vegas and Arizona. When he entered his relationship with Terry, they traveled the globe…. cruising and flying throughout Europe, New York, and many other places. They enjoyed 18 years of healthy life together travelling and hiking until Terry’s passing. Rudy was dedicated to Terry and those years with her brought him so much happiness. Her passing left a void in Rudy’s life that couldn’t be filled. Once the routine of his daily visits to Terry ended, his health slowly declined. For a man so active as Rudy, mobility issues became a burden. Within a span of 2 years he went from walking 11 flights of stairs a couple times a week to being unable to walk a block unassisted. When his lifelong friend Joe Schultz passed away, Rudy lost his last connection to his past.
>> Rudy was a man of routine. He would get up at 10:30 each morning and the first thing he would do would be to make a spot of tea…then grab the Vancouver Sun and go straight to the stock market page to track his investments. Once that was done, he would go to the obits and check off the dates of those who passed as if playing a game of last man standing. Rudy’s health started to slowly deteriorate, and his memory would come in and out. He often said he was ready to accept death and were it not for Kathy and the kids he simply didn’t have a reason or a desire to live. He was very proud of his daughters and took the passing of Mary Anne 4 1/2 years ago very hard. He was a proud loving grand dad to both Kelsey and Kyle and was a great supporter of both their academic and personal achievements in dance and sports. He was proud of Kathy who went on to finish her schooling at Capilano University. He always tried to be the best person he could be. Yes, he did like his wine a little too much perhaps but who’s to say it wasn’t the secret to his longevity?
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>> He didn’t want to be hospitalized or put in a home. He liked his apartment in New Westminster as it was bright, airy and had a great view of the mountains. This is where his life ended. He was spiritual and said his prayers each time he would lie down for a nap or a night’s sleep. He now rests in the peaceful embrace of God’s arms and shall forever watch over us. He is reunited again with his grandfather, mother, brother, sister, Terry and daughter, Mary Anne.
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>> He will be lovingly missed by his daughter, Kathy, sons-in-law, Bill and Dennis, and grandchildren, Kelsey and Kyle.
“We will hold you in our hearts until we can hold you again in heaven”.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 17th, 2020 at 1:30 pm at Kearney Columbia-Bowell Chapel 219 6th Street, New Westminster. Reception to follow the Chapel service.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rudolf Schneider Jan. 10 1926 Dec. 26 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Vancouver, Province: Colombie britanique