1923
Rudolf
2016
Rudolf Varesko
September 19, 1923 — October 10, 2016
Rudolf Varesko passed away on Oct 10, 2016 in Hagerstown, MD at the age of 93. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elisabeth Varesko, two sons, Dr. Rudolph W. Varesko and Roland Varesko; four grandchildren--Tristan, Dustin, Devon, and Tiffany, and one great grandchild, Liliana.
Rudolf was born September 19, 1923 in Chortitza, Ukraine, a German immigrant community settled originally in the 1800s when Katherine the Great invited Germans to help cultivate the rich land. During WWII, he was lucky to get out when the Russian army wanted him to enlist, but he successfully made it to Germany. Others were not so fortunate as they were sent to Siberia for 25 years if they survived. He was drafted in the German army but refused to carry a weapon since he was a conscientious objector and a devout Christian (Seventh Day Adventist). He helped many soldiers as a medic, and became a prisoner of war under the Americans for a short time before the war ended. Rudolf had many great stories of the war.
He did what he could to survive in post-war Germany, from being a shoemaker to becoming a minister. He met his lovely wife Elisabeth at a Christian youth meeting, and fell in love with her blonde hair, blue eyes, and talented piano playing. His dream was to someday come to America, so shortly after Rudy and Elisabeth got married in 1951, they came to America with a bundle of joy (first son Rudolph William) already on the way. Both Rudolf and Elisabeth worked (he as a Layout Artist and she as a List Room Computer Operator) at the Review and Herald Publishing Association in Takoma Park, MD for many years, all the while raising their two boys and providing them with a private, Christian education despite their modest incomes. Rudolf and Elisabeth moved to Hagerstown along with the publishing company in the early 1980s. By then, their eldest son, Rudolph William was married with a child (and 3 more to come) and Roland had graduated high school. They eventually retired and have remained there ever since. They were married almost 65 years.
Rudolf was always busy in the garden, working around the house, writing poetry (and started a book of his life stories), and dreaming up inventions. His mind was always active and he was very clever. Towards the end of his life, several strokes had taken their toll, but he always retained his sense of humor.
He will be dearly missed by his loving family and friends.
Rudolf was born September 19, 1923 in Chortitza, Ukraine, a German immigrant community settled originally in the 1800s when Katherine the Great invited Germans to help cultivate the rich land. During WWII, he was lucky to get out when the Russian army wanted him to enlist, but he successfully made it to Germany. Others were not so fortunate as they were sent to Siberia for 25 years if they survived. He was drafted in the German army but refused to carry a weapon since he was a conscientious objector and a devout Christian (Seventh Day Adventist). He helped many soldiers as a medic, and became a prisoner of war under the Americans for a short time before the war ended. Rudolf had many great stories of the war.
He did what he could to survive in post-war Germany, from being a shoemaker to becoming a minister. He met his lovely wife Elisabeth at a Christian youth meeting, and fell in love with her blonde hair, blue eyes, and talented piano playing. His dream was to someday come to America, so shortly after Rudy and Elisabeth got married in 1951, they came to America with a bundle of joy (first son Rudolph William) already on the way. Both Rudolf and Elisabeth worked (he as a Layout Artist and she as a List Room Computer Operator) at the Review and Herald Publishing Association in Takoma Park, MD for many years, all the while raising their two boys and providing them with a private, Christian education despite their modest incomes. Rudolf and Elisabeth moved to Hagerstown along with the publishing company in the early 1980s. By then, their eldest son, Rudolph William was married with a child (and 3 more to come) and Roland had graduated high school. They eventually retired and have remained there ever since. They were married almost 65 years.
Rudolf was always busy in the garden, working around the house, writing poetry (and started a book of his life stories), and dreaming up inventions. His mind was always active and he was very clever. Towards the end of his life, several strokes had taken their toll, but he always retained his sense of humor.
He will be dearly missed by his loving family and friends.
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