When Rudolph William Heinze's father thought of a school he'd like his son to attend in Mount Prospect in the 1940's, the most important quality was that it would teach his native language, German.  So after Rudi's first day in elementary school at St. Paul Lutheran, his father, William, asked if he'd learned any German.  "They didn't speak much German," Rudi reported. "But we sure learned an awful lot about this man named Jesus."

It was Rudi's introduction to a faith he would spend a lifetime nurturing -- not only in his own life, but also, as a husband, father, grandfather, church historian, lecturer and priest, in the lives of countless others.

Rudi died at home in Wheaton, Illinois, on Friday, March 3, 2017 at the age of 85. He will be remembered as a man who knew and modeled Jesus, a devoted husband to Mildred, a spiritual mentor, a gifted teacher and author, a loving friend interested in everyone he knew, and a godly example to his family. He was also a lifelong Cubs fan who learned last November  that enduring faith, in the end, will be rewarded.

Born June 3, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, Rudi grew up in the shadow of Wrigley Field. As a young boy, he watched the final innings of the Cubs afternoon games once school let out. His relationship with the Cubs would last his entire life, with him following the Cubs even during the years he spent living in England.

From St. Paul, Rudi moved on to Arlington Heights High School, where his  talent as a running back on the football field earned him a scholarship to the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. God's plans for Rudi's life did not include petroleum engineering, however, because he left after a year and returned to Chicago. Rudi was influenced by a high school teammate, who was an excellent athlete and a devout follower of Jesus.  Rudi decided to follow his friend's suggestion to enroll at Concordia University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1956.

At Concordia, he met Mildred, whom he was attracted to because of the beautiful way she cared for others. The two were married in 1955, and by 1960, had been blessed with three children.

Upon graduation from Concordia, Rudi served as a graduate assistant and instructor at Concordia for two years.  While teaching elementary school in Des Plaines, Illinois, from 1958 to 1960, Rudi completed a Master's degree in history from DePaul University in Chicago.  Rudi was awarded the Martin Luther Fellowship to attend the University of Iowa where he served as a graduate assistant and instructor until he earned his  Ph.D. in History in 1963. Following graduation, Rudi taught at Ohio State University for one year, until he was invited to return to his alma mater as an associate professor of history.  He served at Concordia University  from 1964 until 1982.

Rudi spent the summer of 1965 doing post-graduate study in Paris, France, as a Fulbright Scholar, but his  connection to England began in 1967 when he was awarded a fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities which allowed him to continue work on the subject of his dissertation. The Proclamations of the Tudor Kings, Rudi's first published book, was only one  result of this year long residency.  Rudi and Mildred also developed a love not only for their adopted country, but for all the people they encountered.  In 1978, he was invited to teach at Oak Hill Theological College in Southgate, London for a two-year period, as a tutor of church history.  His affection for all things British and a clear calling from his Lord brought him back to England on a permanent basis in 1982 when he resumed his role as a lecturer at Oak Hill.  Rudi and Mildred grew in their faith together during the years in England, aided by a daily routine of morning prayer, using a lectionary that Rudi developed.

"He and Mildred were such a model of what a Christian couple should be like," said Paul Woodbridge, director of college placements & tutor in New Testament at Oak Hill College.  "Their prayer life together was amazing."

Rudi experienced a renewed faith at Oak Hill, and he was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1986, and later, as a priest in 1987. He served in this capacity at St. Peter's, London Colney until 1997.   In addition to his teaching duties at the College, at times he also served as Academic Registrar and Dean, as well as Vice Principal.  In 1990 and 1992, Rudi was a visiting lecturer at Cambridge University.  Rudi ministered to many of the African students who attended Oak Hill, and in 1994, he was awarded the title of Honorary Canon and Bishop's Commissary of the Diocese of Port Sudan.

One of Rudi's great delights was his participation in the student exchange program between Concordia and Oak Hill that he instituted. He also worked with Middlesex University to establish a relationship with Oak Hill College and was subsequently awarded the title of Honorary Professor of Middlesex University in 1998.  Rudi retired from Oak Hill in 1998, when he and Mildred returned to the States to settle in Wheaton, Illinois.  That same year, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Concordia University.

Rudi and Mildred became members of their beloved Church of the Resurrection while Rudi's ministry continued with his years of teaching as an adjunct professor at both Wheaton College (2000-2003) and Northern Seminary (2006-2016).

Perhaps one of Rudi's greatest joys in his years of semi-retirement was his ministry to the residents of Beacon Hill Retirement Center.  Rudi led evening worship services every other Sunday night for more than a dozen years.

"Whenever Rudi preached, I came away with a stronger hope in the Resurrection of Jesus," said Trevor McMaken, an Anglican priest whom  Rudi taught at the Northern Seminary.

Rudi's  academic accomplishments included numerous publications, but the hundreds of sermons recorded at Beacon Hill and Church of the Resurrection are truly his lasting legacy.  The clear message of 2 Corinthians 4:5 was his guiding principle.  "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake."

Rudi is survived by his bride of 61 years, Mildred; two sisters; Marjorie Glade and Caroline Susan Wilke; three children, Phillip, Lisa Cumming (Robert) and Michael (Jennifer); eight grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Heinze and Martha Haffelin; and a brother, William.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 10th from 3-9 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St, Wheaton, IL 60187. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 11th at 3:00 p.m. at Church of the Resurrection , 935 W. Union, Wheaton, IL  60187.

Memorials may be directed to Concordia University Chicago , 7400 Augusta St., River Forest, IL 60305 or Open Doors , P.O. Box 27001, Santa Ana, CA  92799.