John Francis Rudd

John F. Rudd, Sr. was born December 3, 1926, in Cleveland, OH, to Frank Henry Rudd and Marie Louise (Wagar) Rudd. Mr. Rudd attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, where he majored in physical science, and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he majored in philosophy. He was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi honoraries. John served in the 3rd Armored Division in Ft. Knox, KY, during the Korean Conflict (1950-1952). He married Shirley Ann Ingram on June 14, 1954. The couple moved to Midland, MI, where Mr. Rudd began employment with the Dow Chemical Company in June 1954, working in the Physical Research and Polymer Research Laboratories. He was employed as a physicist for 32 years, retiring in 1987. John authored or co-authored 35 published articles and internal reports having to do with the optical and mechanical properties of polymers, flow properties of polymer melts, the development of polymeric additives to achieve fire retardancy and antistatic behavior, and novel polymer blends based on styrenic polymers for automotive applications. He contributed the article "Polystyrene" in the John Wiley & Sons Polymer Handbook and was the author or co-author of several patents dealing with polymeric additives and thermoplastic blends useful to the automotive industry. After retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Rudd divided time between Harbor Springs, MI, and Tucson, AZ. John belonged to St. Pius X Church in Tucson, AZ; the American Chemical Society; the American Physical Society; the Rheology Society; the Pendennis Club; and the Birchwood Farm Golf & Country Club in Harbor Springs, MI. Mr. Rudd's hobbies were family genealogy, ancient literature, reading, languages, classical music, travel and football. John was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, daughter Margaret, and two sisters. He is survived by six children: John F. Rudd, Jr.; Mary Rudd James and her husband, John; Timothy Rudd and his wife, Brenda; Nancy Repshas and her husband, Richard; Laura Rudd; and Rose Anne Rudd and her husband, Dale Froneberger; five grandchildren; and a brother-in-law, Lawrence Ingram and his wife, Sue. John will be greatly missed by his friends and family. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 7, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1800 N. Camino Pio Decimo. Please visit www.bringfuneralhome.com