Obituary of Rudy Iver Danbom

In Memoriam

Rudy I Danbom

1930-2023

 

Rudy Danbom passed away on 18 March, 2023 at the Johnson Center.  Rudy was born on 29 July 1930 in Hilmar, CA, the youngest child of Andrew and Elizabeth Rylen Danbom.  Rudy had 6 brothers and one sister. Rudy joined the Air Force during the Korean War and was commissioned as an officer and pilot in 1952, flying F-80 aircraft.

He flew 100 combat missions in a F-84 during his tour in Korea. On his 91st mission he sustained heavy damage to his right wing from a 37mm anti-aircraft shell, but managed to land at a friendly forward air base.

 

Rudy married Laura Y Fontes in Phoenix AZ on 21 January 1956.  They had identical twin girls Mary and Elizabeth in September of that year.  The family moved from Phoenix to South Carolina, the Philippines, Florida, Washington DC and Victorville CA during the course of his career.  

 

Rudy flew 200 combat missions in Vietnam in a F-4 Phantom, during 2 tours.  He earned a silver star. Rudy retired from the service after 20 years in 1972, with the rank of major, and the family moved to Watsonville, CA.

 

Rudy launched his second career of fishing when he bought the Mokolii in 1973, from which he fished commercially for salmon and albacore.  The Mokolii was a 33’ Monterey double ender with a clipper bow. It’s game and fishing license was #926, indicating it was one of the first thousand boats so licensed in the state of California. The planking was port or ford cedar and the exact origin and age of the boat was unknown.  Fishing season was from April 15-September 30, and Rudy fished the waters from Monterey Bay up to Point Reyes from his harbor at Moss Landing.  Additionally, Rudy also farmed 20 acres of land in Hilmar. Rudy retired from commercial fishing after 25 years, at the age of 68. 

 

Rudy and Laura moved to Manassas, VA  in 1998 to be close to family, and in 2001 moved to the retirement community Falcon’s Landing in Sterling where they lived independently until 2023.

 

Rudy was very proud of his 12 grandchildren: Tom Wittman, Teresa Myers, Mary Wittman, Laura Myers, Anne Wittman, John Myers, Jean Marie Wittman, Libby Wittman, Mimi Myers, Jeanne Myers, Peter Myers and Lucy Wittman. He took special delight in his 24 great grandchildren.

 

Besides family, flying, fishing, and farming, Rudy also treasured his faith, becoming Catholic in 2000. Rudy is remembered for his wry sense of humor, reliability, quiet strength, humble service, integrity and kindness.