Rudolph Brenden Horst, 59, passed away in Phoenix, AZ, on Friday, November 23, 2018, after an extended illness.
Born in New Jersey, he grew up outside of Detroit, MI, where he was an avid sports enthusiast, playing hockey and tennis throughout his school years.
“Rudy” was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, and son, who exemplified kindness and caring to all who knew him. Never one to sit idle, Rudy was always active either in organized sports or running 10K races, hiking and climbing, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, or playing golf.
Spending family time with his three sons was the biggest joy in his life, whether chipping golf balls in the back yard, kayaking down the river, or instructing on the art of chopping wood.
Rudy started working landscaping during summer breaks, which led to his lifelong career in resort horticulture. His first role with Rock Resorts in Grand Teton National Park, led to stints at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, AZ, and to The Greenbrier in West Virginia, where he worked for 13 years before leaving to run his own landscaping business for the past eight years. As a certified arborist and a WV horticulturalist, his plant knowledge was unparalleled.
Rudy leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Suzanne; sons, Karl, Oliver, and Brenden; his mother, Lennis Horst of Phoenix; brothers, Doug (Mindy) and Russ of Phoenix; sister, Jennifer (Rick) of Arvada, CO; mother-in-law, Vera Henley of Birmingham, AL; in-laws Darby and Susan Henley of Charlotte, NC, and Michael and Beth Henley of Columbus, GA; along with 16 nieces and nephews.
A funeral service at Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, AZ, was held on Thursday, November 29, 2018, at 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks to make a contribution to the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences can be made at www.messingermortuary.com.
Messinger Indian School Mortuary in Scottsdale is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the December 3, 2018 edition of The West Virginia Daily News.
