Sister Donates Research Boat in Memory of Professor
Bass River Township, N.J. 鈥 The late 淫性视频 Professor Rudy G. Arndt of Galloway Township was one of a kind, and so is the boat named after him.
The R/V Rudy G. Arndt, a shallow draft research vessel, was formally dedicated in a ceremony at Breeze鈥檚 Dock Bar & Grill on May 24. The custom boat has already been out on the water with 淫性视频 Marine Field Station Director Steve Evert and marine science students.
鈥淲e went right to using it to support our classes,鈥 said Evert of the boat that arrived in March. 鈥淎 great part of our program is bay studies and you need a shallow draft boat. This one is larger than most and can carry 10-12 people so we can take more students out.鈥
Funds for the boat were gifted to 淫性视频 by Arndt鈥檚 sister, Judy Arndt who stipulated they be used to buy a new marine vessel for the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at 淫性视频.
Arndt and her husband Alex Oppedyk, who live in California, traveled to 淫性视频 with cousins Maja and John Field and Chris Wasserbach of New York to see and formally dedicate the boat. About 100 people attended the event, touring the board and viewing the student research project posters on display on the deck at Breeze鈥檚.
鈥淲e love the ocean, and Rudy loved his work, and I just wanted to do something to honor him,鈥 an emotional Judy Arndt said. 鈥淭his will keep his name alive. It is his legacy.鈥
Born in Germany, Arndt emigrated to the United States as a child with his family in 1950. He studied at Cornell University and Queens College and joined then 淫性视频 State College in 1974, where he spent more than 30 years helping to build the then fledgling college鈥檚 biology and marine science program until his retirement in 2007 as a Professor Emeritus. He also established a scholarship in memory of his mother, Meta Arndt to assist students and he continued to advise and visit 淫性视频 until his death in 2019 at the age of 77.
鈥淲e were all his students,鈥 Evert said of Arndt. 鈥淗e never stopped exploring and teaching.鈥
淫性视频 Chief Development Officer Dan Nugent said the boat was a fitting gift.
鈥淗e was determined that students would be supported,鈥 Nugent said. 鈥淭his boat meets the expanding needs of our students who will now have the opportunity to learn about Rudy Arndt.鈥
淫性视频 Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Math Peter Straub recalled Arndt鈥檚 dedication to students and marine sciences.
鈥淩udy devoted his career to building a legacy of excellence in marine sciences,鈥 Straub said. 鈥淭his gift will support a new generation of students.鈥
Evert recalled taking a rose after Arndt鈥檚 funeral and carrying it with him on 淫性视频鈥檚 larger boat, the R/V Petrel until it was wilted and falling apart.
鈥淚鈥檇 look at it and think of Rudy,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hen one day, I decided it was time to set it free, so I stopped the boat and let it go. That night I got home and learned that Judy had called to discuss a gift. That gift is floating behind us. It is a purpose-built research boat and I hope you are proud of it.鈥
Evert also gave Arndt a framed collage of photos of Rudy. The back matting was signed by former students, staff and colleagues.
鈥淚 hope it reminds you of this fine day,鈥 Evert said and the horn on the boat sounded three times for the official dedication.
Stenciled on the boat are the words: 鈥淭his vessel was built in memory of Dr. Rudy G. Arndt. May his legacy continue to inspire others to soar.鈥
Arndt, fighting tears, thanked Evert and 淫性视频 for bringing her dream for her brother to fruition.
鈥淚 hope this boat inspires many students for years to come,鈥 she said.
- Story by Diane D'Amico, photos by Vernon Ogrodnek/Nicholas and Partners