Rudy Aleman

A kind and generous friend, an expressive storyteller, a genuine sports enthusiast, Rodolpho “Rudy” Aleman passed away late last week at the age of 84. While he didn’t want much fanfare to follow this announcement, his unique and accomplished life certainly merits some telling.

From childhood, Rudy worked hard to accomplish his dreams, and his dreams always rang with music. As a young boy, helping his family tend migrant farms in Southern California, the songs in his ears were filled with the graceful flow of Spanish. When public school classrooms changed the words to English, Rudy determined to learn the new lyrics. Although scholarly pursuits didn’t always resonate with Rudy, he enjoyed athletics (mostly wrestling and boxing—until his mother put a decisive end to the latter) and he absorbed every note he could in the music room.

Learning music transposed into making music, and Rudy’s skill with woodwind instruments grew. Soon, he and his high school friends became a popular and in-demand band setting the tone for memorable events in the community. The gig money they earned came in handy as Rudy set his sights on a music degree at San Diego State University—and on a brilliant young lady named Kathy.

Rudy often joked about his “10-year college plan,” because soon after their wedding, a draft notice from the U.S. Army transported the newlyweds into an unknown world of bootcamp and barracks. But music was there, too. Rudy joined the other musicians providing “musical support for the leadership of the United States . . . in order to connect the Army to the American people.” Performing and serving with distinction, Pershing’s Own bolstered heavy hearts weary of the burdens of war.

After completing his time in Maryland, Rudy returned to his music major with more knowledge and life experience. Upon graduation from SDSU in the late 1960s, Rudy accepted his first job as an educator at Memorial Jr. High. Another dream realized, his vast store of knowledge, experience, and love of music now inspired future musicians in his band and choir classes.

Much like a rest mark following a frenzied series of notes, music education met a necessary pause as Rudy and Kathy embarked on an extended honeymoon, of sorts, to explore the beauty and history of Europe. Traveling and living in their van, absorbing music and culture, after a year, the young couple discovered they had enough money to stay another—so they did! Their first child, Marco, arrived in Spain. Daughter Leticia, known by most as TC, made a happy addition to the family of four, as they settled back into southern California.

Over the years, as an educator, Rudy invested in the lives of young musicians and vocalists in various schools in the San Diego Unified School District. Proudly serving the youth in his community, Rudy achieved vocational goals including district counselor, vice principal, and, importantly, administrative principal for the K-12 John Muir Academy. While most of his career focused on older students, Rudy enjoyed seeing the little ones discover music and the Arts in the academy’s unique learning environment.

Rudy retired in 2001 to care for Kathy during her illness. When cancer made him a widower, Rudy packed his car and drove through the Yukon spending several months in Alaska, grieving his loss and preparing for the next unknown phase of life. Returning home, true to his nature, Rudy continued investing in his community and longtime friendships. He tried to never miss the annual trip to Baja, Mexico with his Sigma Chi fraternity brothers. And, as always, music remained a steady source of quiet joy, and Rudy found himself connecting even more with classic jazz in his free time.

Then, in 2006, he met Judi—Judi Blue-Eyes, he called her. The first meal she cooked him was chicken, and he ate it without a complaint. That was probably the only time Judi ever saw Rudy eat chicken, because he’d not been able to stomach it since he was a child : ) But, we do incredible things when we are in love! And fall in love they did, connecting over their shared background in education and a little bit of jazz (contemporary this time). Rudy and Judi began nearly two decades of adventures together—from jazz concerts on Catalina Island and a hot air balloon ride to exploring the beauties of Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Mexico, and so many destinations in between. Along the way, they adopted a sweet little dog, and named her—you’ll never guess—Jazzy!

Rudy’s sense of humor came in handy as he accepted Z and the rest of Judi’s busy bunch into his life. With his new “grand” quartet, he toured everything from Legoland to the Iowa State Fair. On one visit to the Joslyn Museum in Omaha, Mr. Rudy (as Judi’s grandkids called him) generously offered to pay tuition for an entire year of art classes for the four. He loved the Arts—jazz, theater, museums, and movies—Star Wars in particular. His reading collection might not be as varied as Judi’s, but he enjoyed his Star Wars books and filled his shelves with them.

Wise and hospitable, Rudy loved to tell stories in his deep, booming voice with a giant smile on his face. He loved to grill for friends and family, and he loved to dine. Building on experience tasting and judging wine, Rudy helped plant, cultivate, and harvest grapes at friends’, the Garcias, vineyard. He enjoyed watching the Chargers and the Broncos (upon Judi’s influence) play football, and consistently cheered for SDSU sports. Classic cars and road trips with Judi made Rudy smile. His steady, calm, easy-going personality made traveling alongside him a pleasant journey for Judi; he was the great love of her life. His happy little made-up songs narrated their days together.

Rudy lived a long and full life, a life which memorably intersected with so many others’—family, friends, neighbors, community members, and students. We may never find the words to express all the special things Rudy was or the many things he accomplished, but as Hans Christian Anderson once noted, and Rudy would no doubt agree, “When words fail, music speaks.” Cheers to Rudy!

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