Jacob William Rudy, III

Jacob William Rudy III

Jacob “Jack” William Rudy III passed away peacefully at his Cobb Island home on March 9, 2026, at the age of 82. Born in Riverdale, Md., on July 23, 1943, Jack lived a life defined by service, craftsmanship, independence, and a deep lifelong love of the water.

Jack was the son of Jacob William Rudy II and Reba Wood Rudy, and he grew up alongside siblings David, Louise and Barbara in a close-knit family rooted in Southern Maryland.

He graduated from La Plata High School in 1962, where his charm and confidence earned him recognition as both Best Looking and Best Dancer. Even in those early years, Jack was known for his easy smile and strong work ethic. During those years he was a volunteer with the Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department, giving back to the community that would shape so much of his life. Jack also held one of his first jobs as a soda jerk at a drugstore in La Plata before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1964.

Jack served four years on active duty and another two in the reserves. During that time, he was stationed aboard the USS Independence, where he earned both the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. After completing his service, he continued to build on his skills through Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating second in his class studying electrical technology.

Although his career would take him to different places, Cobb Island always remained home in Jack’s heart. His parents purchased property on the island in 1948 and built a house in 1952. Jack grew up never far from the water and became a skilled sailor, maintaining a commercial captain’s license throughout his life.

Professionally, Jack worked for 3M before eventually striking out on his own as a self-employed general contractor. Skilled, resourceful, and meticulous, he took pride in building and fixing things with his hands.

Jack lived briefly in Maine, where fate led him to meet Linda Fuller, the woman who would become his wife and life partner for 42 years. The two were married in 1980, and the following year they returned full-time to Cobb Island, settling into the home built by Jack’s father overlooking Neale Sound.

Together, Jack and Linda built a life grounded in love and shared adventure. They often sailed the open waters on extended trips along the East Coast and through the Caribbean, and in later years ventured out on land in an RV, making numerous trips prior to Linda’s death in 2022.

A voracious reader, Jack will be remembered for his sense of humor, quick wit and lifelong pursuit of learning. He gave generously of his time and talents to family and friends, enjoying the simple joys of life — salt air, honest work, and a bourbon and cigar while sitting around a fire pit with those fortunate enough to call him a friend. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the homes and projects he built, and the island waters that brought him so much joy.

Jack is survived by his daughter Kimberly, her husband Douglas Baylor, and their children Ryan and Madison of Phillipsburg, N.J.; and by his son Jacob Wood Peetz and his children Jordan and Aaron of Olympia, WA.

Additional survivors include his brother-in-law Bernard Winkler of La Plata, Md., and numerous extended family members and Cobb Island friends.  Jack also leaves behind his inseparable and faithful companion “Rudy,” a four-legged foster that he and Linda adopted in 2019.

In addition to his wife Linda, Jack was predeceased by his siblings David DeHessa, Louise Rudy Winkler and Barbara Rudy Gladhill, his brother-in-law Irvin “Mike” Gladhill and his great-granddaughter, Zoey Peetz. 

A memorial service will be scheduled in the coming weeks with Jack’s ashes to be placed in a columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in remembrance of Jack to the Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department and EMS Auxiliary, P.O. Box 40, Cobb Island, MD 20625 or online at https://civfdauxiliary.square.site/

Those who knew Jack know that his spirit will forever move with the winds and waters of Cobb Island. 

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