Harry F Rudiger

Harry Frederick Rudiger, was born on October 4, 1930, in Passaic, New Jersey. At the age of 93, Harry passed from this life and entered eternity to be in the presence of Our Lord on Friday, May 3, 2024 while in the care of his loving family. Harry was raised in Nutley, New Jersey and was one of two children born to Frederick and Julia Rudiger. Harry and his beloved wife Barbara, formerly of Wayne, New Jersey, have resided in Englewood, New Jersey for the past one and a half years. 

As a young boy, Harry took up the trumpet. He fell in love with the instrument from the moment he started playing. Harry was deeply involved with the music program while attending Nutley High School and later as an adult playing in big band jazz ensembles in northern New Jersey. 

Following his graduation from Nutley High School in 1948, Harry received the call to serve his country during the Korean War and joined the United States Navy. On February 16, 1951 Harry married the love of his life, Barbara Price Campbell. While serving in the United States Navy, Harry continued his musical studies at the US Naval School of Music in Annapolis, Maryland. During his service in the US Navy, Harry received the Good Conduct Medal, the European Clasp Navy Occupation Service Medal, as well as the National Defense Service Medal. Harry served proudly and honorably in the Navy from 1950 to 1954.

Harry was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1954.  Prior to his discharge from military service, Harry was stationed at the Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois and there, Harry and  Barbara welcomed their first child, Lorraine. Following his discharge from the US Navy they returned home to Nutley and a year later Karl was born. The young family moved to East Rutherford, New Jersey and welcomed the births of their next three children, Carol, Karen, and Mark. As the family grew, they moved to Wayne in 1960 where their sixth child, David, was born. The family remained in Wayne for more than twenty years after. 

Following military service, Harry found work quickly as a Toxicology Coordinator with Hoffmann LaRoche in Nutley. Harry earned his Associates Degree in his field through his company. Harry’s career as a Toxicology Coordinator with Hoffmann LaRoche spanned a period of nearly forty years until his retirement in 1993. During his career, Harry was truly loved and respected by his colleagues and peers. In retirement, Harry and Barbara moved to Myrtle Beach where they enjoyed the next twenty years together. The couple eventually moved back to New Jersey to be closer to family. 

While residing in Wayne, Harry was elected to the office of Councilman-at-Large from 1970 to 1978. During that time, he also served on various municipal and county committees. Throughout his political career, Harry was known by everyone to be a truly honest and upstanding public servant. Harry never gave up his love for music and later took up golf, a sport he truly enjoyed. 

Those who knew Harry best, knew that his greatest passion in life was for his family and for serving the Lord. Nothing in the world meant more to Harry than spending time with and providing for his family. He was a truly devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Harry and Barbara cherished an amazing seventy-three years of loving and loyal marriage together. Harry was not only dedicated his family, but also to his Christian Faith. He and his wife Barbara were most recently members of Englewood Baptist Church. The family is so grateful for Englewood Baptist Church and for their continued ministry to Harry and Barbara after they could no longer attend. Many from their church family would visit them regularly. In recent weeks the visits increased as Harry’s health declined. Prior to moving back to New Jersey, Harry served as deacon with Anchor Baptist Church in Little River, South Carolina and later at Calvary Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Harry loved to sing and would lift up his voice during congregational Hymns or while in the choir.  Harry and his family treasured their yearly family summer vacations all throughout the United States, visiting forty-two states and nearly all the country’s national parks. 

Harry was a quiet, reserved, and private man who was also honest and often humble. He had a deep love for his family as well as his community and will forever be remembered as a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone around him. Harry will be sincerely missed by his family and friends.

Harry is survived by his wife, Barbara Price Campbell Rudiger, at home; three daughters; Lorraine Marquez and her husband Mario of Ronda, North Carolina, Carol Rudiger of Montville, New Jersey, and Karen Rudiger of Fort Lee, New Jersey, three sons; Karl Rudiger and his wife Susanne of Charleston, South Carolina, Mark Rudiger and his wife Jamileth of Hackettstown, New Jersey, and David Rudiger and his wife Debby of Clemmons, North Carolina, nine grandchildren; Cynthia Andrews, Bill Rudiger, Delia Caruso, Julia Hirt, Joseph Caruso, Kristen Rudiger, Kaitlin Rudiger, Nicole Rudiger, and David Rudiger, Jr., and ten great grandchildren; McKenna, Kaleb, Jaxon, Alice, Ashton, Jordan, Madeline, Emily, Brooklyn, and Mason. Harry is predeceased by his parents, Frederick and Julia Rudiger and his brother, Richard Rudiger.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Bristal of Englewood where Harry and Barbara have resided for the last year and a half. Your care for Harry in his last few days and support for Barbara is greatly appreciated.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to support missionaries in Harry’s name may be made to Englewood Baptist Church in Englewood New Jersey or to The Wounded Warrior Project would be greatly appreciated.