Born: November 14, 1928 – Died: September 21, 2013
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of our friend and colleague Al Rudman, following complications from a heart condition. Al died peacefully at home early this morning with his partner Joan Lauer by his side. He was a beloved teacher, mentor, colleague, friend, and enthusiastic and devoted member of our community – as a student, research scientist (with the Indiana Geological Survey), faculty member, and emeritus professor – for nearly 60 years.
Al Rudman was born in New York on November 14, 1928, the son of Hungarian immigrant parents Sandor and Rose Rudnyanszky. He grew up in Chicago, graduating from St. Philip High School in 1945. At age 16 he enrolled in Indiana University, majoring in journalism. After one year he enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and served 14 months in Italy. Al was honorably discharged in 1947, receiving the Army of Occupation and World War II Victory Medals. He returned to Indiana University in 1948 and majored in Geological Sciences. While a student, Al married Bertina Blauch and in the following years they had three children, Philip (now deceased), David and Lynn (Newton). He received his B.S. (1952) and M.S. (1954) degrees, specializing in Geophysics. After graduation he accepted a position with Carter Oil Company (now Exxon) working in oil exploration for three years in the southern states. He then returned to Bloomington and worked as a geophysicist with the Indiana Geological Survey from 1957 to 1965. While working with the Survey he received his Ph.D. degree in 1963. In 1965, he accepted a faculty position with the Indiana Department of Earth Sciences. Al was a faculty member for 33 years and was highly regarded as a teacher and researcher in the field of applied geophysics. He published over 70 papers and abstracts and directed theses of numerous graduate students.
Even after retirement as emeritus professor of Geophysics in 1998, he taught occasional courses, served on graduate thesis committees and regularly attended geophysics seminars.
After retirement his last years were happily spent at Indiana University events, playing bridge, tennis, jogging, visiting his family and travelling with his longtime partner Joan Lauer. Of special importance to Al were frequent visits with his grandchildren. Al’s friends remember him as energetic with a sense of humor and an enthusiasm for life. He is survived by his sister Jo Stockwell of Florida, his son David of Boulder, CO, his daughter Lynn Newton of Santa Barbara, CA, his partner of 25 years, Joan Lauer and his five grandchildren Andrea, Peter and Sam Rudman and Daniel and Benjamin Newton.
The College of Arts