Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Rude, Ben Dale  January 13 2005
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K T bluewolf@onemain.com January 26, 2005, 2:08 pm

The Tehachapi News 
Ben Dale Rude
April 28, 1931 – Jan. 13, 2005

Ben Dale Rude was born of Norwegian parents in Minot, N.D. He embodied this 
Norwegian (Viking) heritage with a strong determination and an extraordinary 
zest for life. His zest for life was manifested in his embrace of mental and 
physical pursuits, such as a love of learning, driving him to attain higher 
education and become a lifelong reader of history. 

Ben loved classical music and jazz. Physically, he liked to push himself, 
becoming a runner (six marathons), a biker, mountain hiker, sailor, snow and 
water skier — he wanted a slalom water ski for his 70th birthday. To be in 
Ben’s presence was to feel his zest for life.

At the age of 10, his family moved to Hollywood. 

After serving in the Air Force during the Korean conflict, Ben took advantage 
of the G.I. Bill, attaining several advanced degrees, including two masters. 
Ben served as the first student body president at what is now CSUN. 

He became a teacher, spending most of his 38-year career at Pasadena City 
College in the field of foreign student affairs and English as a second 
language. He retired in 1997. 

Ben’s avocation was remodeling and refurbishing real estate, both personal and 
for investment.

Ben loved his home of 16 years in Bear Valley Springs, especially his horses 
and pets, his seven valley oaks and his hiking and running. 

In 1996, Ben was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma called Waldenstrom’s 
macroglobulinemia (WM). He soon got involved in the foundation, which offered 
support of patients and research for a cure, the International Waldenstrom’s 
Macroglobulinemia Foundation. He became its second president in 2000 and 
served until the end of his life. He felt privileged that his cancer brought 
him such meaning through the  people and the work that gave him so much 
pleasure. 

Ben walked twice for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, covering 41 
miles in one of the relays. He recently said that he wanted it known that his 
experience with cancer was not to be called “a battle,” but a peaceful 
coexistence of eight-and-a-half years, which greatly enriched his life because 
of his volunteer work.  

A person’s life, Ben believed, is measured by the effort they make for the 
benefit of others.  

Ben is survived by his wife of 29 years, Laurie; daughter, Donna, and son, 
Eric; son-in-law, Daniel Slight; granddaughter, Christine Johnson; his 
brother, John; and friends from all over the world.  

Donations in Ben’s honor may be made to IWMF, 3932-D Swift Rd., Sarasota, FL 
34231-6541 or online at iwmf.com.
 

 

Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to the deceased.

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