in memory of mike

Mike was an avid and accomplished tennis player, captain of his varsity team in his senior year. Also involved in the school paper, The Razor, the Math Team and the Student Council, Mike was a valued member of the Hopkins Community and the Class of 1986.

After Mike's tragic death, a committee was formed to host an annual Parent/Child Tennis Tournament to honor his memory. The brainchild of teacher and tennis coach William Ewen, teacher Betty Benedict (retired), Matthew Lieberman ('85), Kenneth Ackerman ('86), Laertes Manuelidis ('87), and Anitra Anderson, this original group donated $2,000 to establish The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund, with a goal to raise $10,000 to permanently endow the fund. On May 12, 2001 - the day of Mike's and the Class of 1986's fifteeth Hopkins Reuion - MIke's Fund was officially dedicated, having not only reached the $10,000 goal, but surpassing it.

Income from The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund will support the annual Parent/Child Tennis Tournament at homecoming, and provide financial assistance for both the annual spring tennis trip and the Hopkins tennis program.

The Hopkins Community is profoundly grateful to the Rudof Family and to the over 70 donors (as of May 12, 2001) who have chosen to honor Mike in this magnanimous way.

On May 12, 2001, friends and family gathered together at Hokins to dedicate The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund. Speakers included the then headmaster, John Beall, Kyle Theodore ('86), Andy Chepitis ('86), and Kenneth Ackerman ('86). Mike's aunt, Frances Ledewitz, read a note of thanks on behalf of the Rudof family. Mike's parents, his brother Paul and Paul's wife were in attendance in addition to a large gathering of the Hopkins Community.

"We are gathered here today to remember and honor Michael H. Rudof who graduated from Hopkins in June of 1986, and from Yale in 1990. Michael was actively involved in many activities at Hopkins, including the Student Council, The Razor, the Math Team, and the Varsity Tennis Team, of which he was Captain his senior year.

"We mourn together his untimely death in October of 1996. In order to remember Mike at Hopkins in a fitting and public way, and in order to demonstrate in a tangible manner our love and support and concern for the Rudof Family, today we are dedicating The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund in his memory. The following words were composed in 1986 to honor Mike as the recipient of the David Sears Memorial Tennis Award for his perseverance and determination as Captain of the Varsity Tennis Team.

" 'I will especially remember this young man as one of the most sensitive, gentle and yet courageous and hard working captains it has ever been my pleasure to work with in the 18 seasons I have been privileged to serve as Varsity Boys' Tennis coach at Hopkins. This young man began planning for the 1986 season with me way back in August, and became the primary motivating force behind the resumption of the Washington DC Spring Trip Concept after a gap of 6 years. I believe much of the success behind our team's very strong 10-5 record this spring has been due to the perseverance, determination and hard work demonstrated throughout the season by Mike Rudof.' "

Contributions may be made to The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund by making your check payable to Hopkins School and specifying that you'd like your donation applied to The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund. Checks may be sent to:





	In October of 1996, our classmate Michael H. Rudof was robbed and murdered while hiking in Nepal on his honeymoon. This page is dedicated to Mike, to honor his life, character and accomplishments. To make contributions to The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund, see below. MIKE AT HOPKINS Mike was an avid and accomplished tennis player, captain of his varsity team in his senior year. Also involved in the school paper, The Razor, the Math Team and the Student Council, Mike was a valued member of the Hopkins Community and the Class of 1986. MICHAEL H. RUDOF MEMORIAL FUND After Mike's tragic death, a committee was formed to host an annual Parent/Child Tennis Tournament to honor his memory. The brainchild of teacher and tennis coach William Ewen, teacher Betty Benedict (retired), Matthew Lieberman ('85), Kenneth Ackerman ('86), Laertes Manuelidis ('87), and Anitra Anderson, this original group donated $2,000 to establish The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund, with a goal to raise $10,000 to permanently endow the fund. On May 12, 2001 - the day of Mike's and the Class of 1986's fifteeth Hopkins Reuion - MIke's Fund was officially dedicated, having not only reached the $10,000 goal, but surpassing it. Income from The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund will support the annual Parent/Child Tennis Tournament at homecoming, and provide financial assistance for both the annual spring tennis trip and the Hopkins tennis program. The Hopkins Community is profoundly grateful to the Rudof Family and to the over 70 donors (as of May 12, 2001) who have chosen to honor Mike in this magnanimous way. MEMORIAL FUND DEDICATION On May 12, 2001, friends and family gathered together at Hokins to dedicate The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund. Speakers included the then headmaster, John Beall, Kyle Theodore ('86), Andy Chepitis ('86), and Kenneth Ackerman ('86). Mike's aunt, Frances Ledewitz, read a note of thanks on behalf of the Rudof family. Mike's parents, his brother Paul and Paul's wife were in attendance in addition to a large gathering of the Hopkins Community. William (Bill) Ewen, Mike's former Hopkins tennis coach, read the dedication: "We are gathered here today to remember and honor Michael H. Rudof who graduated from Hopkins in June of 1986, and from Yale in 1990. Michael was actively involved in many activities at Hopkins, including the Student Council, The Razor, the Math Team, and the Varsity Tennis Team, of which he was Captain his senior year. "We mourn together his untimely death in October of 1996. In order to remember Mike at Hopkins in a fitting and public way, and in order to demonstrate in a tangible manner our love and support and concern for the Rudof Family, today we are dedicating The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund in his memory. The following words were composed in 1986 to honor Mike as the recipient of the David Sears Memorial Tennis Award for his perseverance and determination as Captain of the Varsity Tennis Team. " 'I will especially remember this young man as one of the most sensitive, gentle and yet courageous and hard working captains it has ever been my pleasure to work with in the 18 seasons I have been privileged to serve as Varsity Boys' Tennis coach at Hopkins. This young man began planning for the 1986 season with me way back in August, and became the primary motivating force behind the resumption of the Washington DC Spring Trip Concept after a gap of 6 years. I believe much of the success behind our team's very strong 10-5 record this spring has been due to the perseverance, determination and hard work demonstrated throughout the season by Mike Rudof.' " CONTRIBUTIONS Contributions may be made to The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund by making your check payable to Hopkins School and specifying that you'd like your donation applied to The Michael H. Rudof Memorial Fund. Checks may be sent to: Hopkins School / Development Office / 986 Forest Rd / New Haven, Ct 06515