Rudolph “Rudy” James Oberzan II
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A A Celebration of Life for Rudolph “Rudy” James Oberzan II, 74, Lawrence will be held from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016 at the Union Pacific Depot (Visitor Center), North Lawrence. He passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living.
Rudy was born March 4, 1942 in Pittsburg, KS, the son of Rudolph James and Agnes Marie (O’Malley) Oberzan.
He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1960 where he participated in high school sports. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Stanford University and his MBA from the University of Kansas.
While at Stanford he was a member of the boxing team, where he served as captain. He also boxed in ‘66-67 in the Golden Gloves Tournament in Kansas City.
He lived for many years in Saco, Maine, and then Epping New Hampshire, before recently returning to Lawrence.
He enjoyed outdoor sports: snow skiing, cross country skiing, hiking, and sailing, and he had a keen interest in Civil War history.
He was a sales/site manager for several prefabricated manufacturing home companies.
Survivors include his two sons, Rudolph James Oberzan III, Dayton, ME, Zachary Aaron Oberzan, Saco, ME; daughter, Jennie Eve Aranovitch, Biddeford, ME; two grandchildren, Josiah and Eva Aranovitch; sister, Ann Look, Glendale, AZ; and brothers, Joe M. Oberzan, Thomas P. Oberzan, and John V. Oberzan, all of Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, David M. Oberzan.
Memorials may be made in his name to the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Our sympathies to Rudy’s family
So sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are
with you.
In memory of a special and treasured friend Rudy to myself and my family: We offer our deeply felt condolence to John, Joe, Tom and Ann Nora and their families. He always spoke with great love and pride of his family and growing up in Lawrence. One of my fondest memories is having the opportunity to come to Kansas with Rudy for your Moms 75th birthday celebration, such a grand lady. We will miss Rudy, famillies and watching them grow up, sharing holidays and special occasions and we were honored to have him as part of our lives. aare prayers will ne with him and your family always….Bridget, Michelle and Chloey, Melaine, Tyler and Chris, Michael, Kelli, Jakob and Mya, Mary and Patty and David, Jeffrey, Tom, and Chris……we love you Rudy
I found out last week that the world has lost one of the most rare, true, and generous gentlemen I have ever known. Rudy never complained about himself which made it all the more surprising to learn he was gone. My heart is breaking, but I’m trying to gather up many happy memories of Rudy when his charm and wit made me laugh. He was always on my side, ready to saddle up a posse and shoot “the dubbers,” a name he made up for “people who don’t take on their responsibilities.” I’m sure his siblings will continue the legacy of his loyalty to friends and family and of his respect for everything Agnes taught him. My sympathies to his family and those who were lucky enough to know him.
Dear Oberzan Family:
I was honored to know Rudy (a fellow Kansan) when we met @ Stanford in two venues…the Stanford Delta Tau Delta Fraternity & later the Stanford Boxing Team. Rudy was a positive contributor in both activities.
He will be remembered as a genial & gentle soul who laughed a lot, was a self deprecating person who possessed a great sense of humor. He was a pleasure to be around.
I remember when his nose was broken in a boxing workout and it bothered him a lot because he didn’t look like the handsome fellow he was.
I regret not being able to communicate with Rudy at some point between graduation and his passing!
I will remember him fondly and with pride!!
May he rest in peace!!
Tim Steele Stanford ’63