Obituary

Kit Landon Rudd, 62, of Midlothian, VA, departed this life on August 4, 2024. He was born in Lufkin, Texas, to the late Weldon Eugene “Gene” and Faye Richardson Rudd. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Sharon; daughter, Jade Yu Kurosawa Rudd; sister, Cinda Taylor (Randall); nephew, Wes Taylor (Sarah); and niece, Mollie Taylor Meagher (Matt).

After graduating from high school, Kit attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, graduating in 1984. Upon commissioning he attended flight training and flew the C-130 while stationed in the Philippines. His car remains buried under the ashfall of Mount Pinatubo to this day.

After leaving the military, Kit obtained a Master of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Master of International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management. He spent several years working in the private sector until life brought him to Washington, DC, where he began a career with the U.S. Department of Commerce and met Sharon.

Kit was an avid cyclist for many years, completing long distance endurance rides in Australia, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, an area he called home for several years. He was a fierce competitor and had many hobbies throughout his life, in addition to cycling, including competition BBQ, competition chili cooking, and photography. He even competed as a contestant on the game show, Win Ben Stein’s Money.

Early in 2022, Kit was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Kit approached his diagnosis as he did everything in his life, with strength, focus and the desire to win. Kit invested himself fully in everything he did. Never dabbling, but always going all the way. His room full of awards from barbeque and chili competitions to cycling Alaska’s Iditarod Trail attest to this. Not to be limited by what he could no longer do after his cancer diagnosis, he set out to explore what he still could do, from exploring the cuisine, denim, and photography cultures of New York, even to tracking down a rare Poloroid Box Camera like that used by Andy Warhol. After his cancer diagnosis, however, he said he’d lived his life for his own personal goals and achievements, and he realized he wanted to strive for others who shared his condition.

Engaging with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), he raised tens of thousands of dollars for that organization’s Richmond VA and NYC chapters, and spoke at their events. No longer able to ride the challenging Appalachian Mountaineer gravel race in SW Virginia, he still attended and presented a hand made trophy belt to the rider who best exemplified the spirit of the ride. And throughout all of this, he made it a point to share what he found and include his friends in his discoveries, having a young milliner he’d befriended in New York make custom hats for all his team who came to attend the PanCAN walk in NYC, and arranging a Peloton ride at the studio there. All the while, not lamenting what was lost, but looking for what was still to be found. Kit will always be remembered as energetic, loyal, and compassionate.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024,at 3:00 p.m. at Morrissett Funeral & Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23234. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment to be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Duck Run Natural Cemetery, 1886 Windswept Lane, Penn Laird, VA 22846.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Jerome L. Greene Family Center — New York, NY