Bestow "Rudy" Reinhold Rudolph (Col Ret USAF), Clermont, FL, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2011 at the age of 93.  He was a loving Husband and Father.  He was born in Geff, IL and attended State College in Cape Girardeau, MO.  He is an American Hero of World War II and spent 28 years in active service to his Country in the Army Air Corps and USAF.  During WW II he served as a Pilot, flying anti-submarine duty on both US coasts and later as a member of an elite undercover organization known as the Carpetbaggers, stationed in England, flying 31 missions into enemy territory to provide supplies to the underground and rescue escaped POWs.  He received many awards for his service including the Presidential Citation, Distinguished Flying Cross, The French Croix de Guerre Air Medal with four clusters, three theater ribbons and 6 battle stars.  After retiring in 1969, he enjoyed life gardening and spending summers in North Carolina.  He and his second wife Marjorie settled in Clermont, FL  to enjoy the rest of retirement.  He is pre-deceased by his first wife, Helen Damsel Rudolph and his second wife, Marjorie V. Rudolph.   He is survived by his 6 children, Scott Yturria of San Ramon, CA; Ray Rudolph of St Petersburg, FL; Christl Estre of Astatula, FL; Toni Eaton of Winter Garden, FL; Jeff Yturria of Palm Desert, CA and Gary Rudolph of Oviedo, FL; 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.



The viewing and a brief service will be held at the Becker Funeral Home (www.beckerfamilyfuneral.com) in Clermont on Friday the 18th between 10:00 AM and noon.  A service with full military honors will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell at 1:30 PM.  There will be a gathering of friends and relatives at his home in Clermont following the interment.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests considering a donation to the wonderful organization Cornerstone Hospice of Lake County (http://cshospice.org/?giving.html).   Becker Funeral Home, Clermont, FL, is serving the family.