Dr. Thomas D. Rudolph

Long-time Rhinelander resident and Northwoods conservationist Thomas D. Rudolph, age 94, passed into his eternal reward on May 26, 2024 surrounded by his family. Tom was born on December 28, 1929, in Bowlus, Minn., to Thomas Edward and Emma Ann Rudolph. He attended Little Falls High School, joined the U.S. Army, and then received his doctorate in Forest Genetics from the University of Minnesota. Tom married Dorothy Witt in Flensburg on December 29, 1954, and they enjoyed 68 years of married love and parented seven children. They lived in St. Paul while Tom completed his graduate studies at the University of Minnesota and moved to Rhinelander in 1959 for his new job with the USDA Forest Service at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory as a forest geneticist. During his tenure with the Forest Service he served as a project leader and authored over 50 scientific publications. Following his retirement in 1985, Tom worked for more than five years as a visiting Senior Scientist and Consultant for the University of Wisconsin, Madison. 

Next, he began a second career serving on multiple local, state and national civic committees and boards including multiple terms on the Oneida County Board of Supervisors, the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation, the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Board, Wisconsin County Forests Association Board of Directors, TriCounty Human Service Board, local and area school boards, National Association of Conservation Districts, and more too numerous to list. Tom was active for over 65 years as a member of the Knights of Columbus on State Committees, as a State Officer, and as a Fourth Degree member. Locally, Tom enjoyed his membership and colleagues with the Rhinelander Rotary Club. While Tom’s daughters were members of the Belles of St. Mary’s, Tom supported their efforts by volunteering as the president of the board of directors. Tom was an active member, lector, and supporter of the Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church since coming to Rhinelander. In June of 2017 Tom was honored to have the Rudolph Shelter at Almon County Park on Buck Lake dedicated for his service and conservation efforts by the Oneida County Forestry, Land, and Recreation Committee. He will be gratefully remembered for his generous contributions, service to his community and his passionate conservation efforts to preserve “God’s Country.” 

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, parents, all eight siblings, his infant son, Daniel, and granddaughter Leah Ottman. He is survived by children Mary (Thomas) Ottman of Blaine, Minn.; Mark (Marlene) Rudolph of Rhinelander; Michelle (Jack) Alonso of Rhinelander; Marcia (Max) Schneider of Midland, Mich.; Martina (Robert) Wallace of Ramsey, Minn.; and Dr. Michael (Laura) Rudolph of Newburgh, Ind. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Tom will be deeply missed by his loving family and friends. 

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with funeral Mass to follow at noon at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Rhinelander on Saturday, June 1, 2024 con-celebrated by the Very Reverend Chris Kemp and Reverend David Maciej, Tom’s nephew. The burial will take place at 9 a.m. at the Northwoods National Cemetery on Monday, June 3, 2024. Memorial donations in Tom’s honor may be made to Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School. The Hildebrand Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff at Rhinelander Ascension Aspirus Hospital and the staff at the Seasons of Life Hospice in Woodruff for the excellent and compassionate care they provided for Tom.