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Memories of William Rudyk

Angie Helmbright

Angie Sep 30, 2011

Hello everyone, none of you know who I am but my might recognize my face if you saw me. I was one of the photographers at Bills funeral. Today I stumbled across the photos that we took and they inspired me to leave a message here.

It has been two years but every time I look back on those photos I become emotional. Partially because I have a deep appreciation for what our military does for our country but mainly because when I look at those photos I can see how well loved Bill was. The number of people that participated on that soggy April day showed that this must have been a wonderful person to have been so loved and the number of memories left on this wall are just affirmation of that fact. You are all very fortunate to have had someone in your lives that you loved this much and he was lucky to have been loved as he was and i am sure still is. My only regret in the entire situation is that I never had the chance to meet this wonderful man.

My memory

Staci Payne Apr 05, 2010

Bill and I were friends from Howard County General Hospital. We found a common bond in that we both served in the Army, and my husband also served as a Warrant Officer and Russian Linguist. Bill was alway trying to get me to brush up on my Russian language skills, but I was a lost cause! Bill had many friend at Howard County General, and I found out about his passing from one of the nurses on night shift. I send my sincere condolences to his family, as I know how much they meant to him.

Rest in peace, Bill.

Bill Rydyk and Mitch Yanak BK 1972

Mitch Yanak Jan 14, 2010

I was stationed in Bad Kissinger, Germany from July 4, 1971 to january 17, 1973. I remember when Bill arrived at our outfit as an MP and when he was assigned to the same room that I shared with Mike Baker, Paul Charbenaeu and later Dave Robinette. Bill was my partner in the early days that he arrived at BK before I was assigned as a Desk Sergeant. I just came upon Bills information after Jim Rush notified me of Bills passing. He was a great guy and fun to work with. I have an early piucture of Bill as an MP with me when we relived some 3rd Infantry Division Tank Drivers of some Millers Light and Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. I never realized how much Bill loved the military. From reading the information on this tribute site I am honored to say that I had the disticnt privilige of working and knowing Bill. he was a good roomate and friend. If I can figure how to upload the picture of Bill and me I will do so. Bill, I am sure you are at peace. Your Friend , Mitch Yanak, 536th MP COMPANY, 793rd MP BTN, 15th MP BDE, Bad Kissingen , Germany.

Ruhe in Frieden,

Biggi Jul 30, 2009

lieber Bill. Du warst ein wundervoller Mensch und ich denk gerne an die schöne Zeit zurück in der du in Kronach warst und wir alle viel Spaß miteinander hatten! Es war meine schönste Zeit mit euch allen, Danke!

Dearest Rudyk Family

Troy Dimmig May 15, 2009

I was stationed with Bill at BRO Kronach about 20 years ago. Bill was my boss and a good one. We did alot of great work there and had alot of good times. Countless fests where we enjoyed many beers together. It was a small unit, only about 5 or so of us there at a time and all the families got close. I very much remember Natalia and Katja as young girls and how they used to play with my very much younger children. We did not stay in touch over the years and I wish we had. I was shocked to find out Bill had passed. Please accept my belated sympathy at Bill's passing.

Troy Dimmig

April 29, 2009

Dr. Oleh Denysyk Apr 30, 2009

Dear Rudyk family, my friends, my family

Thank you for inviting me and Nusia to participate in the services at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday for Vasyl. It was an honor for me to be there, to participate in honoring all that Vasyl has done for our country, for our security and for our freedom .

Stefan, and my comment to you about you being his role model, yes, I certainly believe your father was his role model, but take it from a younger-brother type like me, I have always considered my older brother a role model for me. I can't imagine Vasyl did not have the same feelings toward you. And after reading the posting and seeing the pictures on the website, he had two terrific role models: your father and you.

And for the for the record, Pani Rudyk, is one tough woman. She had a lot to do with the way both you and Vasyl and now your vnuky have turned out. I am honored to call her my god-mother.

Thank you again. I will never forget that ceremony.

Oleh

My Memory

Eugene Tyler Johnson Jr. Mar 15, 2009

Bill I Only Knew You As A Co-Worker, But Even As One You were One Hell Of A Person. Always Kept Your Cool And Always Spoke. You Have A Wonderful Family And You've Raised One Hell Of A Daughter (Natalia) and She's Doing A Great Job Raising Her Daughter. Keep Looking Over There Shoulders And Make Sure You Tell GOD To Save A Spot For All Of Them. Until Then May God Bless Your Family.

Eugene Johnson Jr.

come to me daddy

Katja Rudyk-Kulhanek Mar 04, 2009

come to me daddy
i’m your newborn daughter
i promise to bring you
love and laughter
come to me daddy
i’m learning to talk
watch me very closely
and soon i will walk
come to me daddy
i need you now
help me tie my shoes
i don’t know how
come to me daddy
do you like what i drew
i worked on it a long time
made it especially for you
come to me daddy
please kiss my boo-boo
i fell of the see-saw
ahhhh… much better, thank you
come to me daddy
please a piggy-back ride
or we could go to the park
and go down the slide
come to me daddy
could you please help me
my school project is due soon
we’ll finish it 1-2-3
come to me daddy
i wanna dance with you
out in the rain
maybe a samba or two
come to me daddy
look what i won
all these medals and awards
dance is so much fun
come to me daddy
i have some big news
i’ve fallen in love
he’s the man that i chose
come to me daddy
i have great news today
the pitter patter of little feet
are headed my way
come to me daddy
how do i go on
down here without you
why have you gone
come to me daddy
in my dreams late at night
please comfort and guide me
be my shinning light
come to me daddy
i hope that you know
i am proud to be your daughter
i’ll always love you so

Boy Hood Friends

Stefan Kowaliw Feb 28, 2009

Wasyl and I grew up together on the lower east side of Manhattan

We were very close friends from pre kindergarden thru high school. Together, we attended St George School on 6th Street and were members of Plast - Ukrainian Boy Scouts. Our parents were close friends and we used to be over each other's homes on weekends - getting into trouble at times. I still remember watching the Ed Sullivan show and Bonanza together with Wasyl.

The Rudyks lived on 3rd street and we lived on 9th street - not far apart.

After high school - life took us our separate ways - with Wasyl always being far away serving his country.

Wasyl, my dear friend your life was too short - till we meet again.

My deepest sympathies to Wasyl's wife, his daughters -Katja and Natalia, Stefan and his family and Pani Rudyk

Vichnaya Pamyat

Stefan Kowaliw

My Memory

Joseline Feb 28, 2009

It's so hard to say good by so we'll just say until we see you again Bill. We know you are in a better place now that your creator has called you. I know this doesn't make it any easier because you will be greatly missed by your loving family and by all of us friends who had the privilege to know you. Thanks for the fun memories: the hose from our house to yours when the well dried :-), how cool you took things - an example to follow. Thanks for almost sending me to the creator when I came home and you came out of the dark walking your loving companion Shorty (you nearly killed me  and then we had a great laugh as I told you I was getting ready to get my maze). Not a dull moment being your next door neighbor. Most of all, thanks for your great compassion when we had a death in our family. I hope from up above you know how much your hug and your words meant to me. I am forever indebted to your family and pray and hope that the Lord can utilize me to bring them comfort! May you RIP Bill!

Love,

Joseline

Vasyl

Dr. Oleh Denysyk Feb 28, 2009

Vasyl's mother is my godmother and I have great memories of her and the
whole Rudyk family growing up. I found out about this very sad news two
days ago from our mutual friends, Steve Kowaliw and Lesyk Balaban.

I last saw Vasyl at his niece's wedding several years ago and we had a
great time catching up on what he could tell me and our childhood
adventures.

My deepest sympathy to Vasyl's wife and daughters and especially to his
brother, Stefan, his wife Olia and family and most to my godmother, Pani
Rudyk. She has been through a lot in her life. May God Give you the
strength...

With deepest sympathy, Oleh Denysyk

Dr. Oleh Denysyk

My Memory

Pat Robertin Feb 26, 2009

As among the AAFES family, we share deepest sympathies with his family. We will
miss you, but will always know he will be watching over all that he knew. Glad to
had the opportunity to have met Bill in Georgia, and shared his life about his family and
his life. God Bless You, Bill.

Pat Robertin, Fayetteville, NC

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Staci Payne

Visited Apr 05, 2010

Carol Macaulay

Maryland United States

Visited Mar 25, 2010

Mitch Yanak

Visited Feb 12, 2010

Tribute Creator

Katja Rudyk-Kulhanek

    Katy, Texas, United States

    Visited Jan 19, 2010