Beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, student, robot and pig, our Rudy’s joyful and miraculous journey with us has come to an end.
Even knowing that he would face enormous challenges before he was born didn’t prepare us for the magnitude of the battle that lay ahead. While acute medical issues were ever-present in his life, Rudy will be remembered more by his ability to overcome limitations and embrace life with joy and abandon. Against a backdrop of uncertainty, heartbreak and occasional terror, Rudy’s life gave us glimpses of God’s goodness and beauty we never conceived this world could hold.
Rudy leaves behind a family that loved him deeply: parents, Rolf and Trish, the siblings he adored, Wilson, Max and Olivia, grandmothers JoAn Wilson (Lawrence, KS) and Helga Geyling (Auburn, AL) and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family across the U.S. and Europe.
One could live 100 years and not experience the depth of love Rudy received in eight and a half years. We are grateful for people near and far who poured such incredible love into Rudy including: the family of Coast Community Church of the Nazarene, Mountain View School and dedicated professionals in the Goleta and SB County school districts, gifted doctors and compassionate medical providers in Santa Barbara and at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, the caring community of the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission, our courageous cadre of special needs families and countless neighbors, friends, blog readers and even perfect strangers–all of whom discovered that even the simplest care extended to him was reciprocated with an uncannily disproportionate outpouring of his unique brand of Rudy-love.
Viewing and visitation will be Sunday August 6th from 3-7pm at Coast Community Church of the Nazarene (4973 Via Los Santos, Santa Barbara, CA 93111). Funeral service will be on Monday August 7th, 11am at Living Faith Church (4597 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93110–carpooling recommended). Burial and family receiving immediately to follow the service at Goleta Cemetery (44 S San Antonio Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93110). All are welcome wearing bright colors, especially Rudy blue (aqua blue).
Memorial donations in Rudy’s honor can be made to the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission (535 E. Yanonali, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103), a very special place to Rudy and our family.
Rudy's Beat 
#RudyLove
Perfect. My day is complte reading this. and seeing his Angel face.
Precious boy , you always spread you love , your smile.
We could not help it but love you, even if you tried to be naughty, because it was accompanied with the smile .
Keep smiling at the Lord . and say Hi to Granpa Dick and Opa
May god continue to give you grace and love. Jason and I are with you all. Many hugs.
so grateful for this precious life…
Rolf – big hugs and prayers from Hawaii go out to you and your family 🙂 Lots of Aloha & Love – Craig Chong
Perfect. Just like Rudy. Bless you all.
Peace to Rudy. May he always be remembered for his smile and how he filled your hearts more than you ever imagined possible.
Dearest Rudy,
You will always be the angel in my life. Now it is time for you to relax in the heavens above and be with God. Your smile is contagious. I love you Rudy!
Love,
Eileen Scott
xoxo
xoxo
Dear R, T, W, M, & O,
I am utterly astounded at the impact that Rudy was able to have on this world thanks to your whole family’s willingness to share him and yourselves with the community. As I read his story here, I think of how I’d be prone to withdrawn seclusion in similar circumstances. Thanks for your service to the Church and to the community all around you and thank you for allowing Rudy to live his life to the fullest.
God bless and keep you in His grace and peace,
SW
What a lovely reminder. Thanks for being human and acknowledging that.