Some people live their lives in such a way as to make me want to live a
better life.
Rudy Burgess was one of those people.
Rudy, who was 84, died on Monday. The Altavista community is less
because of his death, but more because of the life he lived.
Rudy was a public servant. He started serving on the Altavista Town
Council in 1972 and did so for 40 years. For 28 of those years, he was the town
mayor. He didn't run for re-election in 2012.
Until his retirement in 1993, he also worked a full-time day job.
Rudy was not a politician. He loved Altavista, and he served the people
of Altavista.
He was one of the first people I met when I moved to Altavista in 2003
after Larry and I got married. He and Larry knew each other—Rudy knew everyone—and
I quickly learned that this was a man who always spoke when he saw you, always
had something funny to say, and always wanted to hear your opinions about
things.
After I started working for the Altavista
Journal, I had more opportunities to see Rudy. Though I didn’t usually
cover Altavista government, I’d see him at events and discovered more evidence
of the love Rudy had for his community.
In 2010, I had the privilege of interviewing Rudy and his wife for an
article about long-lasting marriages I did for a special bridal section. At
that time, they had been married for 60 years. I loved hearing their stories
about their married life and the ways they worked together as a team. They
stayed busy with children, church, work and Town Council, but they never forgot
each other.
I reread that story yesterday and looked through some photos the
newspaper has collected of Rudy over the years. I remembered the joke he used
to tell people, that every time his picture was used in the Journal, he was paid $500.
Service to others, dedication to one’s work, love for one’s family,
faith—Rudy personified these values. And thinking about him and his life makes
me want to do better.
God bless Rudy Burgess.
I don’t have any photos of Rudy
that I can share on my blog, but here are some photos of the town he loved.
They were taken mostly on a Sunday morning, so there’s not a lot of traffic.
Who makes you want to live a better life?
Oh this is a lovely tribute to an obviously good man. Hug B
ReplyDeleteSounds like he was quite the pillar of the community.
ReplyDeleteWow -- how lucky you were to have known such a remarkable man. People who do these good things leave such an indelible mark. I'm sad for you and your community with this loss and yes, glad that he lived. So well stated!
ReplyDeletesounds like a wonderful man! bless his wife and the whole community who will feel his absence.
ReplyDeleteThe world needs more Rudys. From the photos of Altavista, it looks like Rudy did a terrific job to maintain a beautiful town. You're written a very meaningful tribute to Rudy.
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely tribute and a simply beautiful place!! the hubs makes me want to be a better person!!
ReplyDeleteand all my blogging friends.....i aspire to be the person you peeps think i am ;)
Altavista looks like a beautiful town ... and what a beautiful man and life you've described. He sounds like an exceptional person.
ReplyDeleteYour community has lost someone very special. Your tribute is very touching.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is my inspiration to be my best. He's a saint in my eyes. :)
The world could definitely use more Rudy's in it! Alta Vista is very fortunate that he made his home there!
ReplyDeleteMy son, the bravest young man I know, absolutely makes me want to live a better life.Great post, Tina!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful library.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful town.
I can see why Rudy decided it was a place worth investing in . . it look like a place a soul could feel refreshed.
Thank you for sharing about Rudy. Now his memory will bless my days . . . What a Gift.
What a great tribute, Tina, and I absolutely love these photos!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to honor a wonderful man. Sure wish I could have met him.
ReplyDelete