ASHTABULA — Rudolf Woodman “Rudy” Herzog, age 93, died Sunday, March 14, 2010, after a short illness. He was at home surrounded by family as he wished.
Born Feb. 15, 1917, in San Jose, Costa Rica, he was the second son of Rudolf Herzog of Basel, Switzerland, and Charlotte Mary (Woodman) Herzog of Ashtabula. His parents owned Atirro Coffee Estates, a coffee and sugar plantation in Costa Rica.
Rudy returned to Ashtabula at age 6 to attend the Ashtabula City Schools, until he began high School at Valley Forge Military Academy, Valley Forge, Pa. He graduated in 1935 and studied for three years at the University of Arizona before returning to Costa Rica and working for Attiro Coffee Estates until 1947. He returned to Ashtabula in 1948 and purchased Ohio Products Distributing Company.
He was very active in the Wholesale Beer and Wine Association, serving as president from 1966 to 1968. He also served as a director of the Ashtabula County Savings and Loan. He retired in 1985 and devoted his time to managing his other business interests, including mobile home parks in Geneva, Conneaut and Ashtabula.
He was very active in the Valley Forge Alumni Association and in 1986 was presented with the “Outstanding Alumni Award” for his lifetime of dedication to Valley Forge Military Academy.
A member of the BPO Elks #208, the Ashtabula Rotary Club and First Presbyterian Church, he was also a generous benefactor to the Ashtabula Arts Center and Ashtabula County Medical Center. He loved dancing, and Big Band and Swing music.
He married Virginia Colin of Ashtabula in 1949 and was widowed in 1990. They had no children, but traveled frequently and were very involved in the lives of their nieces and nephews. On Nov. 7, 1992, Rudy married Sonia Locy and has shared many good times with her, her children and grandchildren ever since.
Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Sonia of Ashtabula; his step-daughter, Patty (Locy) Baker of Jefferson; his step-son, Michael (wife, K.C.) Locy of Ashtabula; grandchildren, Stephanne (husband, Ryan) Smith of Hilliard, Chad (wife, Jessica) Baker of Columbus and Bryan Locy of Ashtabula; great-granddaughter, Aubrey Ryan Smith of Hilliard; his nieces, Charlotte (Herzog) Osborne of Syracuse, N.Y., Mary L. Herzog of Laguna Beach, Calif., Jayne Ann Colin-Currie of Ashtabula and Deborah (Colin) Persinger of Toledo; nephews, William Herzog and E.G. Colin, both of Ashtabula and Francis A. Herzog, JR of Grass Valley, Calif.; his sister-in-law, Elinor “Ellie” Herzog of Ashtabula; and many loving great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia (Colin) on Nov. 23, 1990; three brothers, Colonel Charles A. Herzog in 1974, William H. Herzog in 1979 and Francis A. Herzog in 2004; his step-father, George B. Mahan; and his parents, Rudolf Herzog in 1924 and Charlotte Herzog Mahan in 1989.
A Service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 18th, at the First Presbyterian Church, 4317 Park Ave., Ashtabula. The Rev. Dr. Stephen R. Long, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Chestnut Grove Cemetery.
Calling Hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17th, at the DUCRO FUNERAL SERVICES AND CREMATORY, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula.
Contributions may be made to the Valley Forge Military Academy who has honored Rudy in so many ways through the years.
Obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com and starbeacon.com
