Dr. Rudolf "Rudi" Weiss

Dr. Rudolf “Rudi” Weiss was born in Ansbach, Germany on May 11, 1942 to parents Oskar and Lydia Weiss. Rudolf passed away in Bellingham, WA on August 22, 2024.

Rudi lived in Germany until his family relocated to America when he was 9 years old. His family owned and operated Oskar’s Delicatessen in Lacey, Washington. He graduated from Olympia High School in 1960. In college, he earned a BA in Music Ed. and a BA in German at Western Washington University, then an MA and PhD in Germanic Linguistics at the University of Colorado in Boulder. 

Beginning in 1970, Dr. Weiss taught for both the German and Linguistics programs at Western Washington University in Bellingham. During his time at Western, Professor Weiss served as Chair of the Foreign Languages Department and Director of Linguistics, founded the linguistics major, and received Western's Outstanding Teaching Award (1985), Laureate status in the International Society of Phonetic Sciences, and Professor Emeritus status in German and Linguistics.

Rudi loved to play the violin and collect vintage cameras and watches. He appreciated classical music, fine cars, photography, and cooking. His favorite thing of all was his family. He was generous and caring his whole life. He loved to make people laugh with his impish, dry sense of humor. He truly valued his long-time friends and colleagues with whom he had many late-night philosophical conversations. 

He is survived by his wife, Carol Weiss; son, Hans Weiss; daughter, Heidi Meyer (husband Dave); three grandsons; Adam Green, Ryan Green, and Evan Green, who affectionately called him “Papi”; siblings, Renate Koenig and Roland Weiss and their families; and his two beloved dogs, Snow Bear and Cotton.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Friday, September 6 at Westford Funeral Home (1301 Broadway, Bellingham) followed by a reception.