Rudolfs Gendrikovs

Rudolfs Gendrikovs, age 91, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Rudolfs (Rudis/Rudy) was born in Riga, Latvia, on May 5, 1925, the son of the late Valdis Gendrikovs and Erika (Zankovskis) Gendrikovs. Rudy's life-journey began in Latvia, with childhood and youth spent in Pardaugava, swimming the Daugava River. Rudy defended his beloved country of Latvia in WW2, and subsequently spent time in refugee camps, where he met his future wife, Spodra Beltins. On May 5, 1951, they were united in marriage. They immigrated to America with the sponsorship of the Garvin family in Niles, MI and later moved to Kalamazoo. After several years in America, Rudy was proud to earn his American citizenship. Rudy retired from Eaton Corp. after 29 years of service. He loved raising pigeons and was a member of the Midland Roller Pigeon Club. He was a member of the Kalamazoo Latvian Evangelical Lutheran United Church. Rudy was known for his sense of humor, positive attitude, hard work ethic and strong moral compass. Rudy was an avid fisherman and pigeon fancier. Surviving are his loving wife of 65 years, Spodra Gendrikovs; two children, Dzintars Gendrikovs and Sandra (Thomas) Bayer; grandchildren, Steven (Emily), Krystina, Georg and Petra (Stefan); great-grandchildren, Anna and Milla; along with special family members Mary Catherine Gendrikovs, and Mirdza Rollis with extended Lizenbergs and Vizulis families, along with the beloved Gendrikovs relatives in Latvia. He was preceded in death by one brother, Aleksis Gendrikovs. Friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m. 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 18th at the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran United Church, 122 Cherry Hill St., Kalamazoo, MI 49006. The funeral service will follow the visitation at 11 a.m., officiated by Rev. Aija Graham. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. His family would like to extend gratitude to the loving care by all at the Butterfly Oasis. Memorial contributions may be given to the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran United Church, the Latvian Center Garezers, 57732 Lone Tree Rd., Three Rivers, MI 49093 or Butterfly Oasis, 3113 Parchmount Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49004. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007