Harold "Hoot" Rudolph RIP

[Marie LaFreniere]

Harold "Hoot" Rudolph

"He was a remarkable man: a strong, accomplished and generous person, who valued his marriage and family above all else."

Hoot, as he was affectionately known since childhood, was at home with his loving partner and wife Anne and family, where he was well enough to enjoy them and a glass of wine days before his peaceful death on May 15 at their home in Greer SC.

Hoot was born and raised in Jackson, MI where he both excelled as an athlete in Michigan Center and married his high school sweetheart Judy. They had 4 children, Jeff, Steve, Jody and Amy. Early in their marriage after attending CMU, they moved to Beaver Island and operated the Beaver Lodge which cemented their love of the Northern Michigan lifestyle for their family.

After 3 years on the island he moved his growing family to Metamora/Lapeer, MI area where he opened his first new business, The Bread Basket, and a satellite location in Port Huron. A fire brought this endeavor to an end in the second year, where they then moved back north to Petoskey, MI in 1969. This is where his storied career as a serial restauranteur, chef and mentor to many gained momentum. It was always a family and friends affair. He as the creative chef ran the back of the house and Judy was the front of the house personality, and the children all were a part of this formula throughout their lives.

Judy died on May 16th 1987. Hoot pushed on through this loss and several years later was blessed to meet Anne on Marco Island. They married in June 1991 and together built on his successful fine food model, opening and operating 5 more successful restaurants on Marco Island and operating the seasonal Douglas Lake Steakhouse in Northern Michigan.

Hoot impacted our lives and many others by his selfless examples. Family, his many friendships, his creative passion for loving his work and leading by example was the creed by which he lived. His life could easily be measured by the loyalty of people he influenced, many of whom went on the build successful careers of their own.

He is survived by his wife Anne, children Jeff (Kate), Steve (Copland), Jody (Cary), Amy (Chris), Stephanie (Adam).

He took great pride in his 6 grandchildren and their successes and growth, Sterling, Max, Ireland, Bow, Annie and Brady.

A celebration of Hoot's life is being planned and his ashes will be shared between Greer, SC and Beaver Island, MI. In memory charitable donations can be made to Beaver Island Community Center- Hoot Rudolph Memorial Fund, Parkinson.org or Affinity Hospice.

Posted online on May 23, 2023

Published in Petoskey News-Review