Rudolph Roell ’33

He prepared at Exeter, and while at Princeton he played rugby, sang in the Glee Club, and ate at Key and Seal. After graduation, he attended Union Theological Seminary and then the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church, both in New York City. Ordained as an Episcopal priest, he served at a number of parishes in New Jersey and New York, and found the love of his life in Elizabeth Johnson.

In 1947, Rudy found his calling at St. Paul’s Church in Dedham, Mass., surrounded by Harvard men. He was a fixture at St. Paul’s until 1973. During that time, Rudy spent his hours doing what he loved best: “preparing for preaching, teaching, calling on the sick, conducting services, administering, and getting to know better and better my parishioners.” Rudy loved golf and was described by a dear friend as a “golf fanatic.” After retirement he spent winters in Vero Beach, Fla., and until a year before his death, he still played nine holes nearly every day.  

Rudy died without survivors. His and Elizabeth’s only child died in infancy. Like so many of his classmates, Rudy lived a life of service to others and is remembered affectionately for that.