Robert Willard Rude

Robert Willard Rude, 83; of Oswego, NY ascended like an eagle from earth to the celestial shores of heaven Wednesday, April 2^nd, 2025; with his two favorite girls:  his wife Sandy and his 4-legged furry companion Riker by his side.

Bob was the baby of the late Louis and Eva (Damoth) Rude of Dryden, NY.  He was also predeceased by his siblings and in-laws, Waneta (Willard), Marion (Effie), Doug (Betty), Carl (Loretta) and Winnie(Ray,) his three nephews, David , Durwin and Leslie Rude and most recently March 3^rd, 2025:  his daughter:  Kim Rude.  Bob is survived by his wife of 13 years:  Sandra Rude, his son and daughter-in-law:  Drew and Teresa Rude of Quakertown, PA, his granddaughter:  Kaitlyn Rude and two adopted grandchildren:  Luffy and Layla Lin of Oswego, NY.  He is also survived by his best friend Ronald Perry, a few in-laws, cousins, and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.  Robert was a United States Veteran having served in the Army from 1959-1960 and then transitioned to a reservist with the US Army National Guard for three years.  During his service Bob was involved in the Army Choir performing for the troops and was honored to meet and perform for Kate Smith when she visited.  His battalion would recall a fond memory of Ms. Smith bestowing each member a hug of thanks for their duty to their country.  Bob also remembered when his base was chosen to be used in one of Elvis Presley’s military movies during his active duty.  Bob was gifted with the ability to play by ear at a very young age.  He was invited to play the piano and various types of organs (Lowly to Skinner pipe organs) for many weddings, Sunday services at various churches for over 65 years  until recently.  Along with his playing ability, Robert was a gifted soloist.  He performed with a number of choirs in Oswego County and beyond for Easter and Christmas Cantatas.  He will also be remembered for playing at family weddings for three generations.  In 2018, under UACCI Ministries, Bob became a co-founder with his wife Sandy of a home church setting:  Lakeside Fellowship. When covid began in 2020, people all over the world including those from Scotland, New Zealand, Taiwan and the Philippines along with many viewers locally and across the United States virtually welcomed Lakeside Fellowship and Robert and Sandy into their homes receiving both spiritual and music ministry.

As a teenager, Bob began work in retail as a bagboy at Clark’s Market and Ramsey’s IGA in Dryden, NY.  Occasionally, he would carry someone’s groceries out to their car and when he walked back to the store he would accidentally go into the wrong one.  A manager would just point to the store apron he was wearing to alert Bob of his mistake.  Bob continued in retail until he retired, working as a manager and then training to become a Butcher.  During his career, Bob worked in various Big M stores in Oswego County.  With Bob’s butchering skills he didn’t just make steaks.  In retirement he stayed busy making driveway stakes, snow markers, survey stakes and bundles of wood for numerous suppliers.  In Bob’s free time, he enjoyed fishing, making bird houses and bird feeders, tending to his visiting birds, working in his vegetable and flower gardens, and pruning his grapevines and raspberries bushes.  He also liked bowling with the Lakeview Senior League, challenging his daughter to play a game on the Wii, playing Cribbage or a competitive game of Canasta with good friends and traveling companions Linda and Frank.  During his retirement Bob was delighted to travel to Ireland and Scotland and would comment daily about the beauty of the Highlands and the memories of firsts that were made such as the breath-taking scenery, kissing the blarney stone and tasting haggis.  He and Sandy were also blessed with making new acquaintances from  Australia, India and many states that have chosen to remain in contact for over 10 years.  Robert relished traveling with relatives to see family members in VA, DE and PA and especially seeing the horses on Assateague Island grazing and free to roam.  He enjoyed many hours at camp, listening to the loons perform their calls, watching the lightning bugs, sitting by a campfire and eating smores.  Bob also liked stopping more than once at Alexandria Bay and taking a cruise with the Uncle Sam Boat tour.  During the colder months he kept busy with jigsaw puzzles, and he never tired of the joy of listening and playing music.  One of his most favorite things to do was to eat, because Rude’s love to eat!  The time he had to share a meal, music and conversation with his nieces and nephews at different events was always very special.  Bob felt that life was a precious gift, and it goes by too quickly to be petty. The question is: Will it really matter in 5 minutes, 5 months or 5 years?  Smile, be kind and remember laughter is good for the body and soul.  On behalf of Robert his wife would like to give a  special “Thank you” to our family, friends, neighbors, Celeste Carnes, NP and Oswego Health Home Care for their care and friendship.  Calling Hours will be held Monday, May 5^th from 10 AM to 11 AM at the Sugar & Scanlon Funeral Home, 147 W. 4^th St., Oswego.  Funeral Service will follow in the Sugar & Scanlon Funeral Home at 11:15 AM officiated by Rev. Rodney Perkins and Ralph Pauldine.  Burial will be held privately.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a local music program for our young people to realize the importance of music, or to your local animal shelter/ bird sanctuary. Thank you and God’s blessings to All.