George Joseph Rude
Oct. 7, 1941 — July 5,2011
George Joseph Rude, 69, of Anacortes, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2011 at his home in Anacortes, Wash.
He was born on Oct. 7, 1941 in the Bronx, New York, the son of George A. and Edith M. (Watson) Rude.
George lived a full life, beginning his higher education at the Colorado school of Mines and later graduating from Union College in New York with a master’s degree in chemistry. He later became a master electrician as well as a pilot, and he used his love of flight to track down criminals as a bounty hunter, working with police and even the F.B.I. to track down some of America’s most wanted.
George found the San Juan Islands on one of his “hunts”, tracking a bond jumper to Orcas Island in 1984, after which time he and his family decided to keep their sail boat in Friday Harbor and vacationed there often.
While being an active bounty hunter and running a large electrical contracting firm in Colorado, George returned to college to earn a degree in accounting and to become a certified public accountant.
After raising his family he moved out west to the San Juan Islands in 1989 and eventually settled in Anacortes, Wash. where he owned and operated Rude Electric, and also continued to do taxes during the tax season.
George retired from doing electrical work in the late 1990’s when his middle son, David, took over the company.
George has left his family and friends with a lot of great stories and even more memories and he will be missed by all who knew him.
George is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law; Stephen and Leanne Mercier Rude of Anchorage, Alaska, David and Stacey Rude of Friday Harbor, Wash. and Robert and Astrid (Held-Rude) Rude of Providence, R.I., and seven grandchildren; Chelsea, Nathan, Cassie, Andrew, A.J., Liam and Beck.
At George’s request there will be no official services held. The family will be taking him back to New York to put him to rest with his mother and father.
All inquiries and condolences may be directed to the family at P.O. Box 1004, Friday Harbor, WA. 98250.
Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Anacortes, Wash. and the San Juan Islands.
To share memories of George, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.
— Family of George Rudd
