Memorials › Rudolph Lewis "RL" Struhall Jr

Rudolph Lewis "RL" Struhall Jr

10 Mar 1927 – 10 Feb 2017

Birth10 Mar 1927
Death10 Feb 2017
CemeteryAssumption Cemetery
Austin , Travis County , Texas , USA
Added bydstruhall on 15 Jun 2017
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176321645

Bio

Rudolph Lewis "RL" Struhall Jr. passed away on Friday, February 10th, 2017, exactly one month shy of his 90th birthday. RL was born to Dr. Rudolph Lewis Struhall and Lillian Grace Parma on March 10, 1927 at 1801 Kenwood Avenue in the Travis Heights neighborhood of Austin, Texas. He was the new little brother to his older sister, Delores and would be followed by six more children over the next sixteen years. RL graduated from Austin High School in 1944. He joined the Merchant Marines and served at the end of the second World War. In 1948, RL married Peggy Clare Lindsay. Their relationship began early in their childhood at the age of 12-years old. Not long after they wed, they moved into a small cottage house on the Green Pastures estate. Here, they started their family, beginning with their first son, Rudolph Lewis "Sunny" III in March 1949. Three years later, in September 1952, Garrie Edward was born. Eight years later, in March 1960, Steven Joseph was born. RL enjoyed a sixty-year career as a custom home builder. A family man at heart, he sought out work that would allow him to be close to home and help him build long-lasting wealth. Revered by his colleagues, he is remembered as being honest, dependable, and fair. Most notably, he built two homes in the famed Air-Conditioned Village in Allandale and he was one of eight builders (and the youngest of the bunch) to develop the Barton Hills Neighborhood in South Austin. He and Peggy built their family home on Cedarview Drive which became the familiar gathering place for friends and family. Although he was mostly a city dweller, RL loved raising cattle and hunting deer at their family ranch in Driftwood, Texas. There were plenty of adventures over the years and the stories live on to this day. He also took yearly hunting trips to West Texas with his very close friend Royce Faulkner and many other hunting buddies. Summers were spent at the Struhall Family Compound on Lake Travis. His passion for the outdoors was well known, but above all, RL loved Football. Just like all "good" Austinites, he was a huge University of Texas Football fan. He and Peggy were season tickets holders and attended home games at the Memorial Stadium for over 50 years. RL is survived by his Wife of 68 years, Peggy Clare Lindsay. Sons - Garrie Edward and Steven Joseph both of Austin. Five Grandchildren - Lance Edward and his wife Courtney, Dustin Lewis (of Chicago), Megan Marie and her fiancé Dustin Smith, Shane Patrick, and Samantha Paige and her fiancé Ryan Smith. Four Great-Grandchildren - Makayla Ryann, Hayley Nicole, Charlotte Jane, and Garrison Edward. Sisters - Frances "Frankie" Marie Davis, Grace Frances Luck, Ann Theresa Duffourc, and Janet Carolyn Mullen and her husband John Joseph Mullen III. Sisters-in-Law - Norma Clarice Dean Struhall, and Sharon Head Struhall. He is also loved by many favorite nieces and nephews. RL was preceded in death by his Parents, and his eldest son Rudolph Lewis "Sunny" Mekaska. Sister - Delores Lillian Smith and her husband Eugene Clayton Smith. Brothers - James Francis and Alfred Eugene. Brothers-in-Law - Robert "Bobby" Gene Luck, Clifford Lawrence Davis, and Pierre Louis "Duke" Duffourc. Pallbearers: David Eugene Smith, Alfred Eugene Struhall Jr., Brian Anthony Struhall, Clifford Lawrence Davis, Donald Louis Duffourc, and John Joseph Mullen IV. Honorary Pallbearers: Royce Faulkner and Earl Kanetzky The family wishes to thank the staff of Brookdale Westlake Hills, and the many LVNs, CNAs, and caregivers that looked after RL with such kindness and support. The family is also deeply grateful to RL's niece, Sharon Davis-Peurrung, for her tireless efforts to care of both he and Peggy over the last year. And finally, to Hospice Austin for their kindness and dedicated caring of RL and our family in these final days. RL will lay in state at Harrell Funeral Home in Austin. The family will hold a short burial service at Assumption Cemetery on the South-Bound Frontage Rd of I-35 just before Ben White. They will then receive guests, followed by a memorial service, and a catered lunch after the service, at Harrell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd., Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759, 512-342-4700. Condolences may be sent at: www.HarrellFuneralHomes.com. Published in Austin American-Statesman from Feb. 14 to Feb. 15, 2017.

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