Rudolph F. Hetzel

Beloved By Family

Rudolph F. “Rudy” Hetzel, 77, of New Milford, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, died August 17 at home, surrounded by loved ones. He was the husband of Anne Ruffolo Hetzel. Mr Hetzel was born April 25, 1930, in Manhattan, son of Frank Hetzel and Katarina Gunkel Hetzel.

Besides his wife of 55 years, he is survived by four children, Suzanne Hetzel Campbell and her husband, Gerard, of Newtown, Edward Hetzel and his wife, Carola, of Tunkhannock, Penn., Carl Hetzel and his wife, Pamela, of Warren, and Kathryn Chauvin and her husband, Edward, of New Milford; ten grandchildren; and two aunts and cousins in Germany.

He was a graduate of Lake Grove High School, Long Island. He served in the Army during two tours in Korea and one tour in Vietnam, retiring as a major in 1968. He graduated from Western Connecticut State College in 1971 with a bachelor of science in education. He taught Earth and General Science at New Milford High School for two years before joining the engineering staff of Lewis Engineering of Naugatuck. He retired 16 years later as general foreman of manufacturing.

A communicant of St Francis Xavier Church, Mr Hetzel was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Housatonic Council #40, and Reverend John D. Kennedy, 4th degree Knights of Columbus, in New Milford. He ran Monday night bingo for the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Catholic War Veterans and the VFW Post 1672.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St Francis Xavier Church in New Milford, August 20. Interment followed in St Francis Xavier Cemetery.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the New Milford Visiting Nurse Association, Hospice, 68 Park Lane Road, New Milford CT 06776 or New Milford Regional Cancer Center, 21 Elm Street, New Milford CT 06776.

The Newtown Bee        August 24, 2007