Rudolphs Furniture Lewie Rudolph, 92, Dies

February 2, 2015  by in Industry, Obituaries   

Rudolph continued to work at the store up until a week before his death. He continued to drive himself to and from work daily.

Born during a time when Butte was the Richest Hill on Earth, Rudolph loved to share stories of growing up and the adventures he had, and responsibilities he bore while being the son of Russian immigrants and business people.  Around the age of 13, when merchandise was difficult to receive, he drove his mother to Seattle over dirt roads in his father’s truck to get goods for the store. He loved riding the trolleys to Meaderville to get an Italian chicken dinner with all the trimmings for five cents. He and his young buddies would “walk the line” when they got back to uptown Butte and chat with the ladies in the district.  

Following school Rudolph moved to Seattle and went to work in the shipyards. When World War II broke out, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he was with the 483rd Bombadier Group. One of his most harrowing experiences was when he was shot down over Italy and then rescued. 

Rudolph was a passionate pilot and belonged to Marathon Aviation, the Butte aeronautics club. He was also a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol.

When Rudolph wasn’t piloting a plane on his days away from the store he was out bird-hunting, fishing, or enjoying his boat at a nearby lake with his family.

He was active for many decades with the Masons and Shriner’s Janizary Patrol. He served as president of the East Park Plaza Merchant Association.

Lewie was a Board Member for most of his adult life and past-president of B’nai Israel’s Jewish Congregation, as well as the past-president of the Fraternity of B’nai B’rith.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 69 years, Beverly; daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Mike Sullivan of Billings, Mont.; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Pam Rudolph of Butte, Mont.; daughter-in-law, Sandra Dailey of LaPine, Ore.; grandchildren, Kendra (and Adam) Manley of Eugene, Oregon, Kyle Sullivan of Bend, Ore., Max (and Nicole) Rudolph of Butte, and Ron (and Amy) Rudolph of Missoula, Mont.; great-grandchildren, Kamryn and Taylor Manley of Eugene, Ore., Madison, Haley and Jacob of Bend, Ore.  Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.  

Private family services have been planned.  Memorials are suggested to Congregation B’nai Israel, c/o 1929 Aberdeen, Butte, Mont.  59701, or a charity of the donor’s choice.