Randolph Max Dudler

Randolph Max Dudler died peacefully at home according to his wishes on August 26, 2015. Randy was born on December 10, 1930 in Astoria, New York to Johann Max and Martha (Roth) Dudler. He grew up in New York and moved to California to attend college. He earned his undergraduate degree from UCLA and his master’s in architecture from University of California at Berkley. While in school in California, he met the love of his life, Myrtle Elizabeth Halverson. They married September 2, 1956 in Minnesota where Myrtle grew up. Together they made their home in Denver, Colorado where they raised their two children, Andy and Sally. Randy served in the US Air Force in Germany from 1954 to 1956.Randy spent his life creating, designing, building and imagining. His projects ranged from a mountain cabin that he and Myrtle built outside Georgetown, Colorado to paintings, model airplanes, restaurants, churches and houses. One of his proudest projects was designing the remodeling and stained glass windows at his and Myrtle’s church in Denver, Washington Park United Methodist Church. Randy and Myrtle were active members of this church for almost 50 years. Randy and Myrtle made Christmas cards to send every year until Myrtle’s death in 1999. He continued the tradition alone and was working on this year’s design when he died. Randy was ambidextrous and could draw and write equally well with both hands. He loved remodeling the house and taught his kids numerous building skills. He liked being the “supervisor” so Myrtle and the kids could do the work, but he continued changing the house even after he lived alone. He never succeeded in building a time machine, but he enjoyed thinking about the possibilities. In 2002, he traveled to Lancaster, Wisconsin to help Sally and her team of volunteers build a community playground named Kid’s Courtyard at the elementary school.Randy loved to joke and tell stories. He will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a character who lived by his own rules. In addition to art and architecture, he enjoyed collecting things, baseball and eating out. His house was full of books and memorabilia from trips that he and Myrtle went on. Randy loved to travel and enjoyed adventuring after Myrtle died. Randy’s favorite baseball team was the Yankees, but he also cheered for the Rockies. He played baseball in his younger years and could confuse batters by switching from left to right handed pitching and hitting. Randy loved Myrtle’s home cooking so much that he never became much of a cook himself. While living alone, he enjoyed sharing meals at the local community centers and kept a calendar of food events around town to attend. He also liked exploring new restaurants and trying the daily special. Randy is survived by his children, Andy (Ann) Dudler in Iowa City, Iowa, and Sally (Stuart) Harper in Lancaster, Wisconsin, grandchildren, Matt Harper and Erin Harper in Madison, Wisconsin, and niece Julie (John) Farbarik in Tucson, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Myrtle, younger brother Donald Dudler, sister-in-law Sue Dudler, nephew Greg Dudler and a stillborn infant.Randy’s family would like to thank all the church members, neighbors and friends who provided companionship and care for Randy, especially as his health failed this summer. We would especially like to thank the members of the Knothole group for widows and widowers at Englewood Bible church. Randy loved the fellowship (and food!) at their monthly meetings and outings. Thanks also to Rev Dick Evans and Rev Sandi Dillon at Washington Park United Methodist Church for their care and support for Randy through the years.The Memorial Service for Randy will be held at Washington Park United Methodist Church in December. Inurnment will be at a separate time in Minnesota. Memorial Contributions may be made to Washington Park United Methodist Church, 1955 E. Arizona Ave., Denver, Colorado 80210.