Rudolph Petz

Rudy Petz passed away on Monday, November 5, 2012 at Ebeid Hospice in Sylvania, Ohio. He was born on Page St. in Toledo, Ohio to German immigrants Joseph and Magdalena Petz on February 27, 1927. He attended various elementary schools, having to relearn the English language after a visit to Germany resulted in the family having to stay there due to the outbreak of the war. He attended Whitmer High School, where he excelled in basketball, and was also an excellent student. Comments from his high school coaches as documented in his high school yearbook claim "any college would be glad to have him on their team". But with WWII still in full swing, Rudy graduated early and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as an Aviation Electronics Technician, achieving the rank of Petty Officer First Class in under 4 years. Rudy excelled in the growing field of electronics and eventually was promoted to an instructor.

While stationed in London, England, he met Irish born and raised Josie Kelly. They were married on April 23, 1949, at The Church of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, with a reception hosted at The American Embassy. Upon their return to the United states, Rudy started employment with RCA Service Co., where he ultimately was promoted to Chief Technician. He was known to many as "The TV Man" due to his uncanny ability to diagnose and repair any television model in the home with minimal equipment. Rudy had an excellent knowledge of electronics and was an able electrician who also found the time to install home antenna systems during the years preceding cable. On many occasions, he offered his services free of charge since he loved the challenge, coupled with his abundance of generosity - that was the type of man he was.

Rudy built the family's first home on Dixon Avenue himself, noting the home still stands today. He was an extremely hard working man, sometimes working extra jobs to insure that his family was provided for, which included a yearly summer family vacation. With his German heritage, he was afforded membership in several German organizations within the community such as GAF Society, Schwabenverein, GBU, and Bavarian Sports Club. He was a volunteer at The German American Festival from its inception and loved all of his club sponsored activities. His daughters have fond memories doing the polka with Dad at the many German festivals they grew up attending. His sons have equally fond memories attending the German "Beer Breakfasts" with Dad at Oak Shade Grove.

Many wonderful times were spent at the family's cottage on Evans Lake in Irish Hills, Michigan, where Rudy delighted in hosting his retirement party in 1987, after 38 years of service with RCA. Once retired, Rudy and Jo took several trips to Las Vegas, but the highlight of their travels together was the trip back to Ireland in 1998, as a commemoration of their 50 year wedding anniversary. He absolutely loved family get togethers for holidays, birthdays, or any event that allowed his family to be together and celebrate with food and lots of laughter.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Magdalena Petz, and brother in law Bob Richards. He will be forever missed by his loving wife Josephine and 5 children - Mike (Jan) Petz, Colleen (Tim) Voyles, John (Carole) Petz, Teri (Rick Kaifas) Trimmer, and Kevin (fiancee Yvette) Petz. Rudy was a loving grandpa to Traci (Ricky Perry) Guziolek, Dr. Ryan (Jessica) Cieply, Mandy (Matt) Harman, Lindsay (Sean) Papio, Kevin (Erin) Trimmer, Dr. Dennis (Kate) Cieply, Lauren Cieply, Devin Petz, and Erica Petz. Rudy was also blessed with 7 great-grandchildren, and was aware of a new great granddaughter due in December. Also surviving are his loving brother Robert (June) Petz, and sister Margaret Richards, as well as several nieces and a nephew. The family would like to thank the angels at Ebeid Hospice for providing care and comfort to Rudy in his final days. Extra gratitude is extended to Dr. Jay Jindahl, the one physician willing to operate on Rudy, given unexpected complications at the hands of his HMO mandated physicians. Due to the skill of this excellent surgeon, Rudy was able to live his last few years with dignity and far less discomfort.

The family will receive guests on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd (419-381-1900). A Wake Service will be held Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Funeral Services will begin in the funeral home on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, 2535 Collingwood Blvd. Interment will follow in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Promedica Ebeid Hospice.

We will miss you terribly Dad--your smiling blue eyes, your "Rudy"isms, your hearty laugh. But we will take comfort in the fact that your suffering has ended, and that you are young, strong, and vital again, climbing those mountains in Germany that you always told us about.

"Ein Prosit"!!!!!!!