Col. Rudolph Viener III, USAF (RET)'s Obituary
Colonel Rudolph Viener III, USAF, (RET), passed away on October 19, 2023, at the age of 88. Cherished husband of 55 years to Elizabeth Siemers Viener and adored father of Rudolph F. Viener, Charlotte E. Viener, David M. Viener (Susan), and Deborah R. Donovan (Jim). Rudy took great pleasure in his grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth (Marybeth), Andrew Frederic, Travis John Viener, and Katherine G. Donovan. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Rudolph Viener Junior and Dorothy Roys Viener.
Rudy graduated from Allie Fortier High School in New Orleans. A lifelong Greenie, he graduated from Tulane University with a bachelor's in business administration in 1956, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Phi fraternity and the Airforce ROTC.
Directly after College, Rudy was commissioned through the Reserved Officers Training Corp as a first lieutenant in the Air Force, completing the US Air Force Flying School as a Navigator Radar Intercept Officer. In 1957, he was stationed at McCoy Air Force, joining the famous "Flying Tigers" flying C-130s.
Called back to active duty in 1968, Rudy was stationed with the 700th Military Airlift Squadron at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Georgia. As a Master Navigator, Rudy was temporarily deployed to the Rhein-Main Airbase in Frankfurt, Germany, where he flew C-7 and C-130 cargo planes into Vietnam, providing tactical airlift, including airdrop, air land, and air evacuation of personnel and equipment. He later served as a weapons system officer with the Alabama National Guard's 187th Fighter Wing Gray Tails, flying the F-4 phantoms, before being transferred to the 815 tactical airlift squadron at Keesler Air Force. Retiring from flying in 1977, Rudy completed over 4,000 flying hours—one of his favorite stories to tell was flying over Mach 2 in the F-4 Phantom at twice the speed of sound.
After retiring from flying, Rudy was assigned to the Pentagon as a mobilization augmentee and liaison officer for the US Air Force Academy. He was promoted to full Colonel on May 1, 1981. After 30 years of service, Rudy retired from the US Air Force.
His military awards and decorations include the USA Meritorious Service Award, Presidential Outstanding Unit Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Metal, National Defense Award, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Forces Reserve Medal, and the RV Gallantry Cross with palm, among many others.
In his civilian life, Rudy spent 30 years in corporate management with Olin Corporation, spanning a broad diversity of business, marketing, and technical areas in the chemical industry.
Rudy belonged to many organizations, including the Air Force Association and Reserve Officers Association, Military Order of Foreign Wars, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Sons of the American Revolution, Society of Colonial Wars, Mandeville Republican Men’s Club, Northshore Covenant Presbyterian Church, and the Mandeville/North Shore Rotary Club where he currently served on the executive committee.
An avid explorer, Rudy treasured his travels with Betty to all 50 states, seven continents, and over 130 countries and loved to share stories with his travel club.
A man of deep faith, Rudy will always remain in our hearts for his charm, steadfastness, and uplifting spirit. He was a husband, father, grandfather, son, and friend of remarkable wisdom, grace, and goodwill. To say he never met a stranger would be an understatement. His charming southern drawl, witty banter, and sweet giggle are now in the stars, shining down on us forever.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service for Rudy at New Covenant Presbyterian Church at 4375 Hwy 22, Mandeville, LA, 70471, on October 30, 2023, at 11:30 AM. A visitation will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. A full military graveside service will occur the following day at the Natchez City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Mandeville Rotary Scholarship Program or New Covenant Presbyterian Church.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please share a memory on the tribute wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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