IN MEMORIAM OF RUDY DOVALE
A legend is gone, his legacy continues.
Rudy Dovale - Rotary Club of Curaçao Honorary Member and Rotary Paul Harris Fellow
WILLEMSTAD - Rudy Dovale joined the Rotary Club of Curaçao in 1966 and was a member for more than fifty years. Rudy was the oldest and honorary member and until recently active. Rudy was very popular within his club and served as president of the club from 1975 to 1976. As he told us a few weeks ago: "Rotary is a big part of my life". He died a few weeks before his 98th birthday. Rudy received the Rotary award "Paul Harris Fellow". An award that is awarded to someone who is rewarded with this honorary title for special merits. He has always been involved, enthusiastic and very entertaining, but Rudy could also be critical. We will remember him as a very dedicated Rotarian. The club mourns his death but at the same time is very grateful for the beautiful and long life of Mr Dovale.
Rudy Dovale, lunch on Thursday afternoon in his beloved Rotary Club of Curaçao surrounded by family Dovale and honorary member Papy Jesurun.
Rudy as a war hero
Rudy was born in 1921 in Brooklyn, New York, to Curaçao's parents. He was only twenty years old when the United States became an ally of the Allies in World War II. He joined the US Army and grew in rank to cavalry sergeant. He crossed the ocean to the United Kingdom in 1944 and was part of General Patton's army, which struck the last battle on the Siegfried line in Germany in 1945, thereby securing victory for the Allies. Rudy was shot several times and spent several weeks in the hospital in France. About fifteen years ago Rudy suffered a pain in his thigh, after which no fewer than three quite decayed bullets were discovered and removed. Rudy received several military medals and awards for his activities. We think it is special that we were allowed to have this war hero in our midst.
Back to his roots in Curaçao
In 1948 Rudy decided to return to his roots in Curaçao where he spent the rest of his life. As head of advertising company Dovale Agencies, Rudy was at the undisputed top of the advertising sector on the island for more than 40 years in the 60s, 70s and 80s. He was a pioneer in tourism, had a successful advertising agency for many years and finally owned a boat company that acted as an official distributor of Boston Whaler. Rudy is a legend and highly respected within his club and the Curaçao society.
Curaçao has truly captured Rudy's heart. In his own words: “I have been in the Caribbean for more than fifty years and I have visited almost every island. Point by point, dollar by dollar, you can't find a better island than Curaçao. They all have their things, but Curaçao has a charisma and a way of life that is unbeatable. It is really a beautiful place to live. ”
The "Rotary Club of Curaçao" sympathizes in this difficult time with his beloved wife Jacqueline, his three daughters, Laurie, Christie and Donna and the entire Dovale family and wants to express her deepest condolences. The legend, Rudy Dovale, lives on in every one of us, who will continue to cherish the beautiful memories of Rudy.
Rest in peace Rudy. We will miss you!
View a video impression of Rudy Dovale made by the late journalist Alex Alberto: https://tinyurl.com/rudydovale or scan the QR code with the camera of your smartphone:
Rudy is cutting the cake for the 82nd anniversary of the Rotary Club of Curacao, March 2019
