Rudolph William Santsche
January 17, 1930 – May 28, 2023

Rudolph William Santsche, 93, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Rudolph went by many nicknames, including Rudy, Bill, Santsch, Papa, and Unc. He was born in the family home in Bucksport on January 17, 1930. He was the third of seven children born to Rudolph G. Santsche and May Matilda Ford Santsche.

After receiving his high school diploma in 1948, Bill began working for the Pacific Bell Telephone company. After working for two years, he joined the Army’s communications division and served twenty months in Korea during the Korean War where he earned two bronze service stars. After his stint in Korea, Bill received an honorable discharge and returned to his job with the telephone company, where he was employed for 42 years, retiring in 1990. Prior to his retirement, Bill received the Driver of the Year Award from the California Telephone Association for remaining accident-free during his employment with the company.

On July 3, 1953, Bill married Arte Lee Roberts and together they had two daughters, Shelley Ann (Moore) and Loreen Lee (Farrell). Later, when Bill remarried Judith Ann Bertelsen in 1980, he gained a bonus daughter Tina (Conti) and two bonus sons, Kipp and Robert (Bertelsen). Raising five children, combined with growing up in a large family, family traditions were very important to Bill. He made sure the family carried on traditions such as Sunday family dinners, making home-made noodles at Thanksgiving, “hunting” for Christmas trees, camping and sport fishing with friends and family for clams, surf fish, perch, salmon and his favorite, abalone ‘rock-picking’ because he never learned to swim.

Bill was a wonderful brother, father, grandfather great-grandfather and friend. He doted on his family and was happiest when he was surrounded by family and friends. Over the years he attended countless baseball, basketball, football, track, 4-H, FFA, ballet, orchestra, band, and cheerleading events to show support for both his children and grandchildren.

After he retired, Bill enjoyed traveling with friends and family to many wonderful destinations, including Disneyland, Disneyworld, Hawaii, Branson, Nashville, Cabo San Lucas, the Grand Canyon, Reno and Arizona. He enjoyed making new friends and becoming a member of the Swiss Club, Moose Lodge and attending numerous Golden State Accordionaires functions and performances.

Bill was well-known for having a large vegetable and flower garden. Gardening was always a family activity, whether it was separating garlic cloves, placing bean seeds perfectly within well-tilled rows, harvesting zucchini, or shucking snap peas, it was done with pride and love. Bill continued to tend to his garden up into his 90s.

Special thanks go out to his wonderful, supportive neighbors, family and friends who went above and beyond to provide him the opportunity to live independently until the age of 93. We also want to thank the staff at Frye’s Residential Care Home, St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Veteran’s Clinic for their kindness and compassion during the past several months.

Bill is proceeded in death by his parents Rudolph and May Santsche, brother Ed Santsche, and sisters Margaret, Marjory, Evelyn and spouses Arte Hardisty and Judith Santsche. He is survived by his sisters Eva Rainbolt, Mae Tibbet (Ray), children Shelley Moore (David), Loreen Farrell (Robert), step-children Kipp Bertelsen (Katrina), Tina Conti, Robert Bertelsen (Jennifer), and grandchildren Katie Wells (Matt), Amanda Maciel (Michael), Dr. Kelsea Breese (Jon), Kira Cosio (Bryce), Megan Dutra (Jonny), Michael, Matthew, and Missie Mae Bertelsen, Travis and Kylie Conti, Devin Bertelsen and great-grandchildren Franchesca Lopez, Sephora and DaisyLynn Maciel, Braden and Mason Dutra, and Carson Cosio, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and ‘adopted’ family members.

Funeral arrangements will be held at the Ocean View Cemetery Chapel on Monday, June 19, 2023 at 11 a.m. located at 3975 Broadway Street in Eureka, California. Please join us for a Celebration of Life to be held immediately following at the Wharfinger Building located at 1 Marina Way, in Eureka. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in our father’s name to your local Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter.

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