On Wednesday, April 29, 2020, Rudolph Langley Salindong Tamayo, loving husband and father of six children passed away in his home in Monument, Colorado, being comforted by his family. He was 95 years old.
Rudy, as he is known to his friends and family, was born on December 4, 1924, in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, Philippines, to Andres Layno, Sr., and Corazon Mendoza Villanueva Salingdong Tamayo. He enjoyed a happy childhood and graduated at 16 as Valedictorian of his high school. On December 8, 1941, four days after his 17th birthday, his hometown was bombed, which was the beginning of WWII in the Philippines.
During the war Rudy was a resistance fighter until June 1945, when he signed up to work on a U.S. Navy warship. After 2 ½ months on board, he was sworn into the United States Navy on August 5, 1945. He experienced “survival and self-preservation” as he stated in his memoirs during World War II in the Philippines. While stationed in Hawaii, Rudy met Crispina (Cris) Moranion. Cris and Rudy enjoyed the simple aspects of life and getting to know each other by having picnics at Ewa Beach in Hawaii or strolling and picnicking in Waikiki parks or driving to Diamond Head to enjoy the scenery of the Pacific Ocean. They married on December 25, 1948. They raised two sons, Rudolph, Jr., and Andrew, and four daughters, Estrella, Carmella, Laura, and Joni.
During the early years of their marriage, Rudy was on submarine patrols during the Korean War. They lived in San Diego before returning to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His next duty station was the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. When he was stationed at the Pentagon from 1958-1962, he was the first Filipino to “have ever worked in the immediate offices of the White House and the Executive Navy Department offices”. For the remainder of his time in the Navy from 1962 to 1975, Rudy was stationed at Pearl Harbor at COMSUBPACFLT and later CINCPACFLT headquarters.
During his time in Hawaii, Rudy could be found on some afternoons baking for his family. His children would come home to the delightful aromas of homemade pastries just coming out of the oven. He was a wonderful cook as well.
Rudy and Cris always opened their home to nephews, nieces, and friends of their children during school breaks. Everyone was family to them and all were welcomed with open arms as long as their children and visitors knew that housework came first and the beaches and sightseeing second.
After his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1975, Rudy went back to school and earned a graduate degree in Personnel Management at the University of Hawaii. He was a member of the State of Hawaii Governor’s Commission on Immigration and Naturalization in Honolulu. He also became an avid tennis player. Friends would see him on the courts at Pearl Harbor beating younger opponents.
In 1992, Rudy and Cris decided that it was time to leave Hawaii and live in Monument, Colorado. Rudy maintained his love of the Navy by becoming an active member of the U.S. Navy League. He served as President of the Colorado Springs Council, President of the Colorado State Council, President and National Director of the Rocky Mountain Region Navy League which included New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. He was also a charter member of the Submarine Veterans of Wars and the American Legion. At his church, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Rudy and Cris loved traveling throughout the country to visit their children and grandchildren. They took a cruise to Alaska, overseas trips to New Zealand and the Philippines, and, attended family reunions in Hawaii, California, and Colorado.
Various churches and schools in Colorado and the Philippines requested that he be a guest speaker at their assemblies and/or conferences. Some of his subjects dealt with “Marriage and Family” and “Growing Old”. At the Navy League or Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, he spoke of the current military or Naval challenges of future military leaders.
Rudy lived a life that was also devoted to his family. He was a very doting, affectionate and wonderful husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He was a strict disciplinarian, yet self-sacrificing, encouraging, and understanding. He was a dignified man that was thoughtful, generous and respected by all of his family and friends throughout the United States and in the Philippines.
Rudolph was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Crispina (2005), and his son Andrew (1996), his father Andres, his mother, Corazon, and his brothers, Barlow and Andrew, sisters, Remedios, Ampie, Beatriz, and Patria.
Rudolph is survived by his children: Rudolph, Jr. (Mary), Estrella Tamayo-Brown (Rick), Carmella Tamayo Durbin (William), Laura Tamayo (Geoff Chase), Joni Tamayo-Wilson (Scott); and 14 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews in the United States and the Philippines. He is also survived by his sister, Violeta, and brother, Ruben (Gloria Calivo).
Private services were held, and he was surrounded by immediate family. There will be a Celebration of Life later this year. Please honor Rudolph L.S. Tamayo with a donation to either the American Heart Association and/or American Cancer Society.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of
Righteousness, which the Lord,
The righteous judge,
Will award to me on that day,
And not only to me but also to all
Who have loved his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Judge Benjamin T. Reyes II
9 May 2020Joni: I remember speaking with your father at Holy Family Parish several times when we lived in Honolulu during the late 70s. He remembered my name and always greeted our family. I will remember him for being a true gentleman, family man and devoted public servant. Please accept our most sincere condolences and prayers.
Anonymous
30 May 2020It’s been a month since Dad’s death and grief still ebbs and flows. We are thankful for your comforting words.
Aloha,
The Tamayo Family
Brenda Flaherty
9 May 2020Deepest condolences for the Tamayo family. May the loving hand of the Lord our saviour bring peace and comfort to you all.
Anonymous
30 May 2020It’s been a month since Dad’s death and grief still ebbs and flows. We are thankful for your comforting words.
Aloha,
The Tamayo Family
Anonymous
9 May 2020Such a wonderful family must have been raised by truly exceptional parents. In your moments of sadness, you must be so proud, for so many reasons. Aloha.
Anonymous
30 May 2020It’s been a month since Dad’s death and grief still ebbs and flows. We are thankful for your comforting words.
Aloha,
The Tamayo Family
Marilou Castilian
9 May 2020Our deepest condolences to your family for your loss. Praying that our Almighty Father in heaven will give each and everyone of you strength, peace and comfort at this time of your mourning. RIP Tio Ruding.
Hector Marrero
9 May 2020My deepest condolences to you and your family god bless him I wish I could have met him
Peaches Kavanaugh
9 May 2020Wonderful tribute to a Godly man. May he soar with the angels in eternity.
Jim Webb
9 May 2020Aloha good & faithful servant. You were a very kind inspiration to countless fathers and would be fathers over your considerable lifetime. You will be missed but never forgotten.
Janet Stockton-Miller
10 May 2020So sorry that Rudy is no longer walking among us. I feel so fortunate to have met him in Colorado a few years ago. His good humor and face was clearly evident and he made a strong impression! He made the world a better place and positively impacted so many in his 95 years! You have good reason to be proud!
Sarahn Henderson (AKA Sherryl Sayles)
10 May 2020My family’s condolences are offered to your family. We will miss knowing that he is no longer with us in flesh, but rejoice in knowing that he is with us in Spirit.
We were next door neighbors in Foster Village (Hawaii). It’s true, as soon as we moved into the neighborhood, they welcomed us and continued to treat us as family, Ohana’s! And I do remember special holidays and family gatherings they would have, we were always invited to his sweets! God bless fond memories ?❤️☀️???
salvador flor
11 May 2020Carmella……….such a honorable tribute to your dad……I saw an earlier post that one of your relatives had posted with over 500 acknowledgements…..as one of the older brothers….it seems your dad never forgot your relatives in the Philippines ……he was an academic role model for all of you…..and it makes sense as all of you have led very accomplished lifes……it is very great pride that you dad was the first filipino sailor to be assigned to the executive navy offices close to the white house recognized for his intelligence and wit……after browsing through all the comments…..your dad has left a lasting impression…..that will live on within his all his grandchildren ……..your dad make an impression on us all and will always be remembered….regards to all …….take care and be healthy…..
Patrick Bieda
11 May 2020My condolences for a wonderful man and father. I feel fortunate to have known him through Carmala.
Sheryl Querido Rodrigues
16 May 2020We we’re so fortunate to have known your father. Uncle Rudy was well respected by all of us especially my parents Justo and Cely Querido. May you all find comfort to know that he is resting in God’s loving arms and with your mom eternally. God bless you all.
Christopher Owens
17 Aug 2020So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. My parents and your parents were friends in Virginia and I remember when you guys came to California (My Dad put the training wheels on my Bike so Laurie could use it) to visit us in Sunnyvale. Your family was alway held in the highest regard in our family. My parents often talked about the great times and how much they admired both of your parents. I was the youngest (Chris) and was only 3 when we left Virginia. We grew up as if we still lived close to you guys because, the Tamayo family was often talked about in our house. I am so sorry once again, please know that your are all in our prayers.
Pat and Michael Ouellette
28 Aug 2020To our dear Tamayo family,
We were saddened to hear of our dear Rudy’s passing. We remember Rudy’s compassion, good humor, and family devotion. I met Rudy and Cris at Holy Family church while I was stationed at Tripler AMC in 1979. Rudy and Cris not only befriended me and my girlfriends, they opened their hearts and homes to us. We were soldiers by day but adopted daughters off duty. Our family away from home, we spent many evenings at family dinners, weekend picnics at Bellows Beach, playing Mahjong or mass at Holy Family. Maria Baja and I were Joni’s people at Church Youth Group events. Our circle was always expanding. They welcomed my mother, my Michael and our own children into their family. We will miss Rudy and Cris, but we believe they are together in a far, far, better place.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” – Matthew 5:8
Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Peace and God bless you,
Pat and Michael Ouellette
St. Peter Parisher
2 Mar 2022It is March 1, 2022. I have been wondering why I haven’t seen Rudy attending mass in a long time. Could it be because of Covid? But I think I might know why and it’s not Covid. I look his name up on the internet and am saddened to find out he passed away in April 2020. I used to see him at daily mass where I sat behind him. He was kind enough to turn around and give me a hug during the “peace be with you” – eventually, he would give me a gentle kiss on the cheek. He surprised me and made me feel loved. The kind of love that comes from a father or maybe even a grandfather, both of which I never really had. I never knew his name at the time. But found his picture in the 2013 St. Peter’s Directory. Now I knew him as Rudy. What a beautiful person! I’m very sad that I will no longer see him at daily mass. He made an impression on my life that I will not forget. My deepest condolences for your family.