Rudolph Mukavitz

MANSON, N.C. - Rudolph J. Mukavitz, former Ironwood resident, passed away at his home on Kerr Lake in Manson on Nov. 16, 2018.

He graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1952 and married Margie Wiitala on Aug. 7, 1954.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years; a son, Michael, of Stokesdale, and daughter, Paula Carmody, of Bel Air, Md .; two grandsons and two great-grandsons. He is also survived by his brother, William (Bobo), and sisters, Elizabeth Corolewski and Mary Ann White.

Rudy was preceded in death by a brother, David, and parents, Ann and Rudolph Mukavitz.

He attended Northrop Institute of Technology in California and moved to North Carolina and Maryland before retiring on Kerr Lake.

Rudy was an avid fisherman, hunter and Packer fan. He was part of the musical group The Two Sharps in the 1950s, playing the guitar, with Margie on the accordion. He took a year and sailed the Bahamas, traveled to Alaska and found time for tennis and golf.

Prior to his retirement as Director of Aircraft Operations from Martin Marietta Corporation, Rudy Rudolph Mukavitz's passion for flying took him to many countries around the world and flying former Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan.

A celebration of life will be held this spring in Ironwood.