Rudy M. Kuchta's Obituary
Rudy J. Kuchta
Teacher, artist, intellectual, world traveler; beloved husband, father, and grandfather; and devoted friend, Rudy Kuchta passed peacefully on October 10 following complications from a stroke. He was 88. Born in 1929 to Slovak immigrant parents, Rudy graduated valedictorian from East Deer H.S in 1947. As a Korean War veteran with three battle stars, Rudy obtained his bachelor's degree in Art Education from Edinboro College in 1952 and master's degree from Penn State University, then began a forty year teaching career at the brand new Thomas Jefferson High School where he created the art department and taught classes across the spectrum. Ever creative, he was always immersed in some project or other, from a garden sculpture made of pennies, to a kiln-fired mural of the crucifixion.
Rudy met his soul mate Shirley at a dance in Creighton PA. They married in 1955 and danced through the next 62 years of life together.
Following his retirement, Rudy and Shirley, traveled abroad several times with their best friends, Linda and Orlando Jardini, and loved to talk about their many adventures, whether exotic, cultural, or amusing. He was always one to bring the most out of any experience. But he always maintained that the best of his travels was when he treated his two granddaughters, Jessica and Cassandra, to the 'Grand Tour' of European capitals.
Nothing could ever be more important to Rudy than family. After his son Matt was killed in a tragic accident at the age of 29, Rudy moved his entire remaining family under one extraordinary roof. That's when in 1991 Rudy and his daughter Kathy (Lou) Farnish agreed to pool their resources and bought the convent affiliated with St. Albert's in Baldwin. This project was the impetus for Rudy's retirement from teaching, and he toiled tirelessly to turn a neglected old convent into a fabulous family home. The convent also became the site of his many wonderfully fun parties, often themed, and where the guests were often obliged to provide some offbeat entertainment. Always the effervescent host, a splendid time was guaranteed for all at Rudy's parties.
Another great use of the Great Room (converted chapel) in that house was the monthly poker game that he hosted for over twenty years, with the same guys, the same jokes, and the same laughs. If you were his friend, you were friends for life.
Rudy loved to be with people; it was one of his many talents, and all who knew him loved him back. His joie de vivre was unmatched. There really was none other like Rudy Kuchta. He is survived by wife Shirley, daughter Kathleen, and granddaughters Jessica and Cassandra.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 28th at 2 pm, at 3198 Schieck Street, Pittsburgh PA, 15227. A Celebration of his life will follow. Online condolences may be left at www.jeffersonmemorial.biz.
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