Rudolph "Rudy" Kordich

1916-1974

 It is not how long you live, but HOW you live - a favorite phrase of Rudy Kordich, which typified his outlook on life and his zest for living.  

The oldest son of four children, Rudolph Kordich was born to Rudolph and Mary Verlinich Kordich in McKee Rocks, Pennsylvania December 13, 1916. After the family moved to Detroit, Rudy graduated from Detroit's Eastern High School in 1934 shortly after the death of his father.

 The Kordich family, a proud and handsome band included Rudy, Nicholas, Martha, and Donald. Each sang in the choir, married and maintained strong spiritual and cultural ties with the Serbian community in Detroit.

 Rudy first worked as a mail clerk for the then Dodge Brothers (later to become part of the Chrysler Corporation), and worked his way through the corporate ranks until his retirement in 1974 after 38 years of service at the age of 57. His long career with Chrysler left him with many friends and acquaintances who remembered him as friendly, conscientious, and a dedicated team player who was willing to do what it took to get the job done.

 On June 1, 1941 Rudolph Kordich married the very lovely Dorothy Virginia Standish. Dorothy was the second daughter of Isa and Elizabeth Standish. (Elizabeth Standish was one of the Charter Members of the Ravanica Sisters.) About 18 months following their marriage Rudy enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was sent to the South Pacific. He could have easily applied for a deferment being the father of a young child, their first child Diane

 Diane was only six months old. But like many young men of this time Rudy felt a duty to country and enlisted. He wouldn't see Diane again until she was 31/2 years old. Rudy completed his service and was discharged at the rank of staff sergeant, he returned home to Detroit to pick up his life in 1945.

 Second daughter Karen was born in 1947 putting a further squeeze for space on the tiny second floor flat on Warren Avenue. Rudy and Dorothy started building a house, subcontracting out only the technical work, which they could not do themselves. Slowly their house on Mapleridge took shape with the loving help of his brothers, father-in-law, and friends. The house was finished in time for third daughter Susan's birth in March 1949.

 Building a house, working, and holding a wide variety of moonlighting jobs did not keep Rudy from singing in Ravanica Choir and participating in the church life of St. Lazarus. He was president of Ravanica Choir several times from 1946 to 1956 and was elected to the position of Church President in 1956, holding that position for 17 years. Rudy became a popular leader of the Detroit Serbian Community as well as a leader on the Diocesan level. His work with our Diocese peaked while our church was in litigation over property during the split. His leadership during these troubled times singled him out for the praise of many Serbs around the Midwest and nation. Wherever he went, Rudy was always eager to praise the work of all women's organizations. "Without the ladies," he would always say, "We wouldn't be anything."

 The culmination of this dedication happened when the new St. Lazarus Cathedral was consecrated in 1967, but he felt he couldn't quit until the mortgage was burned. "I can't leave these people with a debt, I will quit when the mortgage is burned." Being a charismatic and hard working leader did not come without sacrifice; and Rudy himself most often noted the sacrifices made by his wife Dorothy. "Dorothy is my best friend, she supports me in everything, a husband and wife must be more than in love - there must be respect and friendship also."

 Rudolph Kordich traveled to Yugoslavia in 1972 and received a Grammata from our Patriarch German for his work and dedication to his church.

 He loved to travel and squeezed vacations to Venezuela, Mexico, Caribbean Islands, and many states in the U.S. into his busy schedule. He was fond of saying, "I'm going to travel now while Dorothy and I are healthy and enjoy it, who knows what will happen when I retire - I'm not waiting.

 Having five daughters brought him lots of good-natured ribbing. Daughters Carol and Lynne completed the five and he officially "gave up" trying for a son after Lynne was born. He strongly supported each of his girls and pushed them to get a good education.

 Rudy Kordich and his philosophy, that we must live life to the fullest, and do as much good as we can. His philosophy showed throughout his life. He would be pleased to be remembered today by the women he considered to be so vital to our church. We should take heart and stride toward each making the most of our potential, doing the most good that we can.

-Thanks to the Serbian Sisters "Ravanica"