Rudolf Walter Hellmold

Rudolf Walter Ludwig Bernard Hellmold was born December 20, 1933 in Astoria, NY and passed away July 3, 2019 in Orange Park, FL where he made his home for nearly 40 years. Rudi was the proud son of German immigrants, Herman and Maria (Kulpe) Hellmold. An only child, Rudi grew up in the company of a close knit German community in Queens, NY. 

Following his high school graduation, Rudi attended community college in New York before enlisting in the United States Army in 1954. While serving in the Army, he became a radio operator and was fortunate to be stationed in Germany where he had the opportunity to visit with many of his relatives and family friends. It was an exciting time in his life that he much enjoyed. 

After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Rudi went to school and graduated from the Indiana Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, while there he was also a member of the fencing team. Rudi first put his degree to use working for the railroad in Indiana, then the New York Transportation Department working on roads for the 1964 World's Fair. While he worked for Burns and Roe, Rudi discovered a passion for building power plants. He and his family were able to travel and live in many different parts of the country, from Alaska to Puerto Rico, as his expertise was put to use in the building of many power plants throughout the United States. He was proud to have been called in to assist in the clean up following the Three Mile Island disaster. His last employer was the United States Government which provided him to the opportunity to work on projects at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Mayport Naval Station, and Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Rudi retired in 2007. 

Rudi was a ham radio operator and active member in the Orange Park Radio Club, in addition to having memberships with the Moose Lodge and Elks Lodge. He belonged to St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church and was a certified NRA instructor for the Boy Scouts of America.   He also had an interest in flying and earned his private pilot license; and he enjoyed photography, taking many scenic photographs on his travels with family. Those who know Rudi, know his favorite hobby was sailing, and they  know how much he loved his boat! Many hours were spent sailing the Columbia River in Washington state, as well as the St. Johns River, in Florida. Rudi enjoyed playing bridge (belonging to several bridge clubs), attending concerts by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, as well as attending local productions at the Orange Park Community Theater. 

Rudi is survived by his bride of 52 years, Janet (Bright) Hellmold, along with their two children, Patricia Cornelius (husband Shelby, grandchildren Hayden and Mia) and Christopher, as well as additional children from a previous marriage, Rudy, Eric, and Greg, and their families. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.  The family will receive friends at 10:30am.  Burial with military honors will follow at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 1:30pm.