Tribute Wall
Tuesday
19
September
Public Visitation
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Norman Dean Home for Services, Inc.
16 Righter Avenue
Denville, New Jersey, United States
(973) 627-1880
Wednesday
20
September
Funeral Mass
10:00 am
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
St. Catherine of Siena Church
10 N Pocono Road
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, United States
(973) 334-7131
Wednesday
20
September
Graveside Service
12:00 pm
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
85 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Chester Township, New Jersey, United States
(908) 879-7349
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Laurene (Thayne) Skinner posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
I spent my childhood days at the Katzenberger's home in Lake Intervale, on Cedar Drive, and felt like part of their family! We were close neighbors in the 60’s and 70’s, just a Brook separated us…my brother Kevin and I would cross the Brook to hang with all the Katzenberger kids, my sister Debbie would babysit! Linda was my dear friend but I adored her brothers too, Carl being my age and buddy, Greg my brother’s closest friend and Rudy and Michael the sweet go with the flow younger brothers we adored! My parents, Terry and Alice Thayne were quickly good friends with Rudy and Jane. We, together as families, spent many hours watching either hockey, football or baseball together while sharing a potluck meal. Backyard friends, simply the best!
My Dad and Rudy not only watched sports, they played football and softball, and they played hard! We would cheer them on as kids! My Mom and Jane, we’re close friends, supported their husbands but also played sports together such as tennis and softball and we were proud of them!
Mr. Katzenberger(still call him that, just how it was and is)was the Glue for our neighborhood, the voice and team player, the neighbors role model, the mentor, the athlete, the good sport, the leader, the man with deep faith and love for his family and friends and community! He was so kind to me and always made me feel important and welcome. He loved my family and we are grateful to have spent time with and know so deeply such an amazing being! We will surely miss but never forget his larger than life presence!
It was an honor today to see and feel, the love resonating from his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sister and friends. It touched my heart and soul to meet many of the grandchildren I didn’t know.
Mr. Katzenberger will always hold a special place in my heart as well as my family’s.
xoxo Laurene (Thayne) Skinner
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Denise Katzenberger posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
It’s hard to put into words how much having Dad in my life has meant to me. I remember first meeting the family - all gathered in the downstairs den watching hockey… already being a Rangers fan served me well in that moment. And while overwhelming in numbers, I could feel the warmth from the family - I felt like I belonged from that moment on.
He was an incredible father figure to me in so many ways - spoken and unspoken. We appreciated and valued his guidance especially when we bought our house - “this house has good bones Denisey” he’d say. As he did for many, he helped us with home projects - reusing supplies from various places and finding ways to get things done on a budget. To this day, I smile at some of our upside down outlets - there wasn’t anything Dad wouldn’t try. He “questioned to understand” our decision for Mike to be a “Mr. Mom” and supported us continually with unconditional love.
He was in the fabric of our lives - he and Nana the anchor that held us together for holidays, celebrations, used toys for the chaos of the grandchildren that came fast and furious, the kids games, graduations - and later in the harder times that would come our way. I’ll forever be grateful for his unwavering love and support of me and my children after Mike’s death - we grieved together at masses, at group therapy and in quiet moments, sharing our inexplicable pain - often without words - for losing someone so special, too soon. His faith was deep and strong, a source of comfort and healing for me amidst the many unanswered questions of why.
I’d talk to “Papa Bear” in his later years about all he created and accomplished and sometimes he’d just seem astounded by it all and say “this is nuts Denisey”. We’d smile and reflect on the rapid passing of life and the blessings that have come our way.
I heard so many touching reflections about Dad at the viewing tonight and something I found myself saying was that he met people where they were - and never left anyone behind. The stories gave deeper meaning and more clarity to one of his favorite quotes, “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” for me. A gentle, kind man unlike any I have ever met and likely never will. I see him in the legacy he’s left behind in his sons and grandchildren, in the strength and grace of Nana, and in the friends we have surrounded ourselves with. His love is already living on. You could feel it in the room.
I wish I never had to say goodbye but I now send hugs to you and the angels you’re with Papa Bear. Rest easy and in peace knowing you were loved deeply and touched the lives of so many.
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Ally Katzenberger posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
When we moved into our house, Pop Pop brought over a big can of miscellaneous nails and screws that he had collected over the years, many of which are likely older than I am. At first, I did not see the value in the dusty old can and its contents. Over the past few years we have turned our house into a home, and countless times Brandon has gone out to the shed to get this can and dump it out on the floor so that we could sift through and find the right size nail or screw that we needed to finish whatever project we were working on. Whether it be to secure a lose board on the deck or to take the place of a piece that went missing while building furniture, these nails and screws became a part of our lives, making sure our home and everything inside was securely put together.
Thank you Pop Pop for all of the love and lessons you have given me and your family. In a sense, each of your teachings is a nail or screw that will keep us secure when we need it. As our family grows, we have a strong foundation of morals and values to build upon, because of you. I am so blessed that you have been a part of my life and I will miss you dearly.
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Laura Katzenberger posted a condolence
Monday, September 18, 2023
When I think of family, I feel blessed to be part of 2 special families. The Schletter family and now the Katzenberger family. Dad always talked about how important family was to him and mom. And now when we gather for many birthdays/holidays, I will be forever grateful to be part of a very close knit family stemming from a wonderful man, dad/Pop pop who will truly be missed.
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Liz Murphy (Murphberger) posted a condolence
Monday, September 18, 2023
Rudy Katzenberger is my father-in-law. In all, we have been part of each other’s lives for 42 years, well over half my life.
Long before Carl and I were engaged or married, I was welcomed into the Katzenberger family fold by his father and mother. I was soon included in many aspects of their lives. Daily meals, holidays, Lake Intervale celebrations and trips to the cabin. Rudy quickly slipped into a role in my life that was at best spottily filled for most of my years: “Dad." But before making the official transition from "Mr. K" to "Dad," he was a steady source of guidance, advice, generosity, and most of all the caring and unconditional love of a father.
Truth be told, we were from different worlds and butted heads on occasion. He, from a very traditional, religious, and conservative background. Me, well … not so much. I know he was taken aback once or twice (or 30 times) by my views and actions over the years. I would say that keeping my name upon marrying his son was one of those times. But after some processing, Dad “went with it” and affectionally gave us the name, “Murphbergers.” Whatever surprises I brought his way – whether he agreed or disagreed – Dad’s love was unwavering. As it was for all those he cared about.
Dad has given me many gifts over our years together. Among them, a husband who inherited strong values, is dedicated to family, and has a huge heart. For our children, it was the gift of the most loving of grandfathers, making each feel important and seen for who they are, appreciated and celebrated for their individual gifts. And he gave me and all who knew him the gift of witnessing his steadfast devotion to his wife, showing how a true commitment to love grew and evolved over the years and strengthened through life’s most devastating of losses. Never did that devotion falter.
A life-long teacher, Dad nurtured within me the knowledge of many of our common interests – gardening, nature, birds, the environment, and a love of items from the past. He generously shared two of his most beloved places with me – the Country House and Jekyll Island. I treasure being able to have visited them with him and being able to see them through his eyes.
Dad was one of the most caring people with the strongest moral compasses I have known (and I believe I ever will know).
Giving endlessly to others, be it relatives, friends, community members or strangers. Giving of his time and skills, certainly, but most of all, his heart. At any gathering he would seek out those on the margins to bring them into “conversation,” and into the fold of his life, as he did me.
This is who Dad was to me. I am blessed to be have become a part of his family and to be a recipient of his time, guidance, and gifts of self, but most of all, of his love!
J
John Powers posted a condolence
Monday, September 18, 2023
Rudy's commitment, passion and tireless devotion to our community was and always will be an inspiration to us all. He was a father figure to far more young people along with his immediate family and I'm convinced he was a mentor to many young men in our community who learned so much from him.
He'll be missed but never forgotten.
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Pam Thomas Caggiano posted a condolence
Sunday, September 17, 2023
I just came across a photo of Mr. Katzenberger from 1980 Ironia School Stokes Trip. He was my Sixth-Grade teacher. My condolences to the family.
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Diana Burke posted a condolence
Sunday, September 17, 2023
I will never forget Rudy and his kindness and caring. I was a new “ born again” teacher in my 40’s and Rudy was the only person who gave me advise and set of teacher’s manuals to bring home . It was a Friday night and he said go home to your family . Now I could work at home . I will never forget him ever . God bless you Rudy. Diana Burke
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Jamie uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, September 17, 2023
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A man so special and memories so pure:
Tractor rides at the country house, lucky to hold the steering wheel and drive on his lap.
Hot loaves of bread with peanut butter and homemade jam after mass on Sunday mornings overlooking the fall colors on top of the Friendsville hill.
Nightly Manhattan, made to his liking so he could join Janie for happy hour.
Grandkids mixing cement— careful not to spill but allowed more independence than expected.
Careful instructions on how to use a tool or stack firewood, never discriminating to ensure all walked away with valuable life skills.
Old stiff handkerchief stuffed in the back pocket used to wipe sticky grandkid faces.
Calloused hands that have helped build furniture, paint walls, repair leaks in countless homes.
Classical music playing in the car for peace and serenity.
Silly reluctance to give out bandaids and a deep belly chuckle that would they would, “stay on until college.”
Stammering laughter whenever life moved too quickly.
Sitting sideline at sporting events representing in a matching hat and sweatshirt. And when little leagues turned into colleges, the representation only changed hats.
Openness to new people, new ideas, and new ways of living. Although challenging to comprehend, never turning anyone or anything away.
Profound speeches at family gatherings reiterating the importance of family, faith, togetherness, love and growth.
Strength when experiencing loss so great it shook our foundation, and moving forward to show the rest of us we can too.
I’ll never forever the way he made me feel about my family— that we had something so special. We were given a duty to carry on that legacy, his legacy.
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Kathleen Mullooly Hine lit a candle
Sunday, September 17, 2023
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Brian Esposito posted a condolence
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Mr Ketzenburger was my principal at Fernbrook when I was a youngster. I will never forget him
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Charlie Conklin lit a candle
Sunday, September 17, 2023
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Robb Wadsten posted a condolence
Saturday, September 16, 2023
There are no words...my heart is broken. Thank you Uncle Rudy for being there for me my entire life. The times we spent and shared together are treasured. Never will forget when my father passed away all to soon, how you came to my rescue and became my "other father" figure. I love you beyond all time....Rest In Peace uncle...
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Deborah Peel posted a condolence
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Many years ago Rudy and I worked together at Center Grove School. He was a man of great wisdom and kindness and will always be remembered fondly. Sincerest condolences to his family.
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Jessica Katzenberger posted a condolence
Saturday, September 16, 2023
As I think about what to say in honor one of the most selfless souls, there are simply not enough words to show how much pop pop means to me. Throughout each journey in life he has been there to support, maybe question, and always guide me.
He was so incredibly proud of each of his 14 grandchildren and he made an effort to make each of us feel special. If you had a game or were visiting pop pop you know he would be wearing your high school gear head to toe to support you. A high Bridge hat and a voorhees or lvc sweatshirt.
He made friends absolutely everywhere. While I’ll admit sometimes I was embarrassed, especially when he pulled my coach aside to talk to her, that was just the kind of guy he was. This has passed on to my own father, they truly show interest in the lives around them and make people feel so special.
Through sayings like “earn your keep” he showed us the importance of hard work, but after a days of hard work always joined us in some fun. His prize procession, the country house was one prime example of a place he worked so hard to earn. I will forever cherish the tractor rides ( load em up and move em out), the sometimes deep chats, the time with family and friends, and maybe just maybe all the times stacking wood with pop pop on Stanley Lake road.
I’ll never forget when I took German in high school how interested he was in what I was learning in the class. Before coming over for holidays I would practice so I could hold a somewhat basic conversation with pop pop. He would tell me about his parents store and speak back in words that still to this day I never knew, but I cherished.
As we got older and began to set out on our own paths he followed along. Pop pop quietly but extremely proudly took notice to every new interest, accolade, and event that we were involved in. The call from pop pop every once awhile to see what us busy kids were up to still makes me smile to this day.
In 87 years of life pop pop did so much, touched so many people, and truly made this world a better place. He was the first to remind us how blessed we were to have this family regardless of the setbacks we endured. He was simply the best!
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Bruce Bonin posted a condolence
Saturday, September 16, 2023
I’ll share with the world the sentiments I sent Carl upon hearing of his father’s passing.
“Heard about your dad from Rob - very sad news - he was one of the people who helped make me the person I am today 50 years ago when my dad passed - he will be missed by so many - my heartfelt condolences to the entire family.”
One of the lessons Mr K taught me was as our Webelos leader- I told him I had completed the requirements for the swimming pin at my summer camp and he assured me he believed that and then informed me that we would go up to the lake and he would witness me completing the requirements and then sign off.
I use this lesson often in my daily life.
I can’t add too much to what Rob and Frank have already so eloquently expressed so I will share a memory that I share with my children often. Christmas Day at the Katzenberger home and the sense of family and community present is something you had to experience and I was lucky enough to do that annually for many years.
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Frank Gengaro posted a condolence
Saturday, September 16, 2023
My friend Rob Costello, in his tribute, was spot on. Mr K was truly an inspirational individual. I had the great fortune of becoming an honorary member of the family in 1978 . From the first day I met Mr. and Mrs K they made me feel like one of thier own. Holidays, birthdays, pig roasts, clam bakes, you name it they were the best of times when you were in the Katzenberger orbit.
Like with my own dad , I always felt safe that Mr K was around, a man's man. They didn't make them any better. That also goes for the entire family, he did a magnificent job nurturing them. That was his true gift.
Years go by , life gets in the way , you see less and less of friends and family that were a big influence in your life. But to this day I still feel the same towards the Katzenberger family as I did that first time back in 1978.
I can go on forever, there are many memories. All good. I hope Mrs K and the kids don't mind if I say God bless and rest in peace Dad.
Love and Condolences
Frank
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Andrew Burns posted a condolence
Friday, September 15, 2023
God bless him, Jane, and his family. He raised great boys.
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Michael Rodriguez posted a condolence
Friday, September 15, 2023
Mr. K. Was a great person and teacher. He never treated me any different than anyone else but at the same time was always there for me. He taught me math by how many hits the Yankees got that day or season. He taught me not to waste my time with other people staring at the way I walk or what they think. When my father passed away he was the first person that hugged me and told me I was going to be ok. I could sit here all not listing the things he taught me. I’ll just say that I am so grateful for the positive influence he had on my life and I’ll miss him very much.
Michael Rodriguez
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Rob Costello posted a condolence
Friday, September 15, 2023
I cannot think of a man that I admired more while I was growing up than the Mr. K. In fact, as I think about it, I can’t think of a man I admired more as an adult than Rudy Katzenberger (Sr.).
If I needed a guide to the right way to act in a given situation, Mr. K was always the best example I could think of. He was always kind, but not in a soft way, thoughtful, unselfish, hardworking and unfailingly honest. If I can think of one person who would return a bag full of money if he found it, this was the guy. If the Boy Scouts needed a real life model to look up to… this man was it.
As a father he always took time for his children (and their friends), he was stern, but approachable. I remember his and Mrs. K’s house was always the house where the other kids from around the neighborhood would gather. One story I remember is… Poppa Bear planted flowers along the side of his driveway, unfortunately for him, it was also the driveway where he had erected a basketball hoop for his children. The neighborhood kids would invariably hang out in the driveway and shoot hoops. Inevitably his flowers would get trod on and crushed. Now I know this was a point he mentioned to his children, as they passed it on to their friends, but even though the flowers continued to be treated harshly (maybe not quite as harshly as before) he never banned the gatherings or the basketball in the driveway. Every year he would plant new flowers and every year they suffered damage. Looking back on it now I think he valued the social and community aspect, not just for his kids but for kids in the whole neighborhood, more than he valued his flowers.
Even as his children and their friends grew and moved out, Mr. K was the glue that held the parents of those children together. Daily mass and coffee at Micky D’s with the boys. I remember as my father aged and his world got smaller, he didn't reach out to his old friends like he should, but we could always count on Rudy making the effort to stop by and see how he was doing… always thinking of others.
So if you feel as I do, go out and find a bottle of Bartell’s beer and raise a glass to a man who worked to build and maintain communities his whole life. And in his honor make sure to recycle the bottle.
We’ll miss the Poppa Bear.
Rob Costello
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The family of Rudolph Herman Katzenberger uploaded a photo
Thursday, September 14, 2023
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The family of Rudolph Herman Katzenberger uploaded a photo
Thursday, September 14, 2023
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16 RIGHTER AVENUE, DENVILLE, NJ 07834
(973) 627-1880
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DAVID G. MILNE, MANAGER NJ LIC. NO. 4301
SERVING THE DENVILLE, ROCKAWAY, PARSIPPANY, Mt. Lakes, Boonton,
Morris Plains & SURROUNDING AREAS OF NEW JERSEY SINCE 1957
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