Rudolph "Rudy" Krolopp

Rudy (Rudolph) Krolopp was a brilliant creator and loving light in his great family.  He died peacefully enveloped in the love of his wife Dee (“Dorcas”), seven children, Jacqueline Krolopp Kirn (Thomas), Mark, Joseph (Carla), Sharon Meyer (Donald), Lizabeth Cassidy (Marc), John (Johanna) and Jennifer Martinez (Anthony), twenty-two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, his brother and lifelong best friend, Otto. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

Rudy gave of his extraordinary humanity to his family and everyone whose life he touched. He was the family pillar, a prolific artist, a prodigy, and a doer like none other. He filled his home with paintings, sculptures, and beautiful carpentry.  His basement workshop was his sanctuary. He had a passion for aviation as once was a private pilot. He master-crafted and flew radio controlled airplanes. Rudy touched his model airplane community with his inventive engineering and design prowess. A fitness instructor for 20 years at the YMCA, Rudy also enjoyed sailing, tennis, and reading.

Rudy was born in Chicago to immigrant parents from Eastern Europe, Rudolph Sr. and Emma (Nice) and that culture was an important part of his family life. His Catholic faith and upbringing were integral to his life. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School (1948) and the University of Illinois (1956) and studied advanced business at Lake Forest College. He was proud of his Korean War service in the United States Marine Corps from 1948-1952 and honored for his abilities as a natural leader and skilled marksman.

He is an Industrial Design Society of America Fellow and made history in the field of design during his 41 years at Motorola with 31 patents and numerous design awards. He began his career as a Junior Designer in consumer products designing televisions and radios, then working on communications equipment for public safety and health care.

In 1982 as Director of Industrial Design his most thrilling accomplishment was to lead the design team to develop the DynaTac, the first cell phone, in an unprecedented six weeks. Rudy was a distinguished lecturer and taught at many notable universities. He went on an international tour to share his story in speeches and media interviews.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents and sister Blanche.

Visitation will be 4 PM until 8 PM, Monday June 26, 2023 at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 941 S. Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Visitation will resume on Tuesday, June 27, from 9 AM until the time of prayers at 10 AM, followed by procession to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 33 S. Buesching Rd., Lake Zurich, IL 60047 for mass at 10:30 AM. Interment to follow at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Palatine.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul Lake Zurich, 135 S. Buesching Rd., Lake Zurich, IL  60047.