Obituary of Rudolph Herman Katzenberger

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Rudolph Katzenberger, who passed away on September 13th, 2023 surrounded by family. Rudolph was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many.

Rudolph was born on January 25^th, 1936 in Newark, NJ and grew up and spent many summers in Rainbow Lakes in Denville, NJ. He completed his education at Seton Hall Prep then attended Seton Hall University where he completed his degree in Education in 1958. He married the love of his life, Jane (Wadsten) Katzenberger, in 1959 and started their family during his military service in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  They later moved to Lake Intervale in Parsippany, NJ where he lived for 58 years, raised their children and made countless life-long friends. Rudolph was a very active member of the Lake Intervale community and of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Mountain Lakes, NJ where he served for many years as a catechist.  Rudolph and Jane created precious memories including many summers driving up and down the East coast with their five children in their Volkswagen bus going camping and adventuring.

Rudolph began his career as a teacher at Fernbrook Elementary School in Randolph, NJ.  After a short period serving as principal, he followed his heart back to his true passion of teaching so he could have a stronger impact and influence on the coming generation’s education. He was truly a teacher for life. Throughout his adult life, he had a passion for carpentry, mastering this skill by working alongside Jane’s father, Carl.  In fact, he built his favorite place on earth, the “Country House” in Pennsylvania with his own two hands made purely from recycled materials. It became and remains a special place for family and friends to gather.

After retirement, Rudolph and Jane enjoyed travelling and also spent many winters visiting Jekyll Island, Georgia. Rudolph would volunteer his carpentry skills restoring old cottage mansions and being a tour guide at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. While doing so he developed a love for sea turtles. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a sea turtle education and rehabilitation facility, is one of the few places where you can experience up-close encounters with sea turtles.

Above all, Rudolph, lovingly called “PopPop,” enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sporting events and activities and being with family. He was the most caring and selfless husband, father and grandfather anyone could ask for and will be deeply missed.

Although we are deeply saddened by Rudolph’s passing, we take comfort in knowing that he is now reunited in Heaven with his daughter, Linda (Katzenberger) Rodriguez and son, Michael, whom he missed dearly.

Rudolph’s memory will live on through his devoted wife of 64 years Jane, his loving children Carl (Liz), Greg (Denise), and Rudy (Laura), daughter-in-law Denise and son-in-law Tony Rodriguez.  He will also be deeply missed by his loving sister Sue Katzenberger and his cherished grandchildren Marie and Kevin Rodriguez, Kyle, Cody, Kaitlyn (Jeremy) Lucey, Colin Maggiolo, Michael, Jamie (Dillon Artigliere), Jaclyn, Rachel, Jessica, Brandon (Ally), Nicole, Corey and the newest additions, great-grandchildren Kayleigh Lucey and Callan Katzenberger.

A public visitation to honor and celebrate Rudolph will be held on Tuesday, September 19th, from 4:00PM to 8:00 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, September 20th at 10AM at St. Catherine of Siena,10 North Pocono Rd., Mountain Lakes, NJ  07046. Interment to follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, 85 Pleasant Hill Road Chester, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted in his memory to The Nature Conservancy and can be made through https://inmemof.org/rudolph-katzenberger. Please leave a condolence, light a candle and share your favorite memory of Rudolph here to continue to celebrate the special life he bestowed upon us.