Eddie Rudolph, Jr.

Ed Rudolph competed twice at the Winter Olympics as a speed skater. He also competed in the World Championships in 1962 and 1963, not finishing either time in the allround, but in 1963 he did place second in the 500 metres behind Yevgeny Grishin. In 1961 he was US National champion in the speed skating omnium, and in 1962 also won the US Championship in sprint cycling. Rudolph’s life later saw many highlights but many tragedies. He started The Rudolph Co., a marketing and development company in Colorado which helped develop numerous shopping centers. He also helped redevelop Colorado Springs downtown. As a philanthropist he donated many hours and dollars to help Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs build 10 new stores, and was awarded the Goodwill Guiding Light Award for his work. But personally, Rudolph witnessed the death of two infant daughters, and his five-year-old boy, Eddie IV, was killed when the car he was riding in was struck by a train. His own death also came tragically. He and his wife were driving to a wedding in western Wyoming, when they were killed in a head-on crash, when another driver swerved to avoid a deer, but failed and the car was thrown into the opposite lane, striking Rudolph’s car.

Personal Bests: 500 – 40.0 (1963); 1500 – 2:13.5 (1960); 3000 – 4:56.4 (1962); 5000 – 8:19.0 (1963); 10000 – 19:34.8 (1963).