Rudolph "Rudy" Paul Pitvorec

05/26/1930 - 09/02/2026

Rudolph “Rudy” Paul Pitvorec, age 96, passed away peacefully at home in Louisville, Kentucky, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. He was born May 26, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to Mary Farik and Steve Pitvorec, immigrants from Slovakia.

Rudy grew up in Chicago in a Catholic Slovak neighborhood. He went to St. Joseph Grade School and lived out his life as a Catholic. His love of the outdoors and travel took root early, with childhood memories of the Fox River in Illinois and trips to Wisconsin, where he remembered tent camping, fishing, picking wild blackberries, and playing around campfires with his brothers. He graduated from Harrison High School.

At 18, Rudy left home to proudly serve four years in the United States Army during the Korean War. He later said the Army was “the best thing in the world” for him, teaching him discipline, independence, and how to do what needed to be done. While stationed in Germany, he met his first love, Wanda Faye Dale, whose father was also serving there. After returning to Fort Knox, Kentucky, Rudy and Wanda married and began their family of seven children.

After leaving the Army, he began working as a clerk for Commercial Contracting Corp. in Chicago. He worked his way up to Vice President, where he oversaw bidding on industrial contracting jobs. That pattern of success led him and his rapidly growing family to Indiana, Nebraska, and Michigan. Early family life included vacation trips, often to Kentucky lakes, winter sports, and a lot of work. While working in Michigan, he once rented a motorhome on a whim (in true Rudy fashion), loaded up the kids, picked up family in Kentucky, and headed for Mexico—another first in his lifetime of many.

In 1975, Rudy moved his family to Radcliff, Kentucky, following one of his favorite principles: “Be like a turtle—stick your neck out and take a risk.” Along with friends, he pursued a variety of business ventures, most notably founding an industrial contracting company, R & G Industrial Services, in Radcliff, Kentucky. He kept working there well into his 70s—always believing that one of the secrets to life was to keep moving.

Rudy was fortunate to experience two great loves in his life. He and Wanda were together until her passing in 1981. In 1987, he found love again with Martha “Marty” Sams, and they shared their lives until her passing in 2022.

Throughout Rudy’s life, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling, blackberry picking, playing poker, and visiting casinos—especially Las Vegas—and he stayed active well into his 90s. He had a quick wit, a remarkable ability to accept life as it came, and a genuine appreciation for each day. He woke up each morning happy to be alive. Above all, family was at the heart of Rudy’s life.

During his final year and a half, Rudy made his home in Louisville with his daughter and fiancé. He continued to share stories, enjoy the occasional casino trip, and watch WWII movies, golf, UL games, and the Cubs. He embraced both the chaos and the joy that came with family life. His children never heard him curse, and they could count on one hand the number of times they saw him lose his temper.

Rudy lived a remarkable 96 years—a life defined by perseverance, a strong work ethic, love, wit, and an unmistakable zest for living. His legacy lives on not only in what he accomplished, it lives on the generations of family he leaves behind—in the stories they will continue to tell, the laughter they shared, the traditions they carry forward, and the memories they will treasure. And among those traditions is the firm understanding that Christmas Eve calls for dressy clothes and prime rib.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Mary Pitvorec; his wives, Wanda Pitvorec and Marty Sams Pitvorec; his son, Michael Pitvorec; his brother, Steve Pitvorec; and his stepson, William Douglas Sams.

He is survived by his children, Laura Pitvorec and her fiancé, Don Hissam; Vicky Lawson; David Pitvorec; Robin Pitvorec; Jayne Rowlett (Scott); and Mary Salewske (Randy); his brother, Bob Pitvorec; his stepdaughter, Cheryl Daniels (Donnie); and Douglas Sam’s wife, Paige Sams.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Crystal Pitvorec and her partner, Paul; Doug Pitvorec; Savannah Pitvorec and her fiancé, Justin King; Mark Dowell and his partner, Jen Crump; Joshua Pitvorec; Jeremy Pitvorec; Jeff Pitvorec (Morgan); Melissa Tolle (Matt); Christopher Rowlett (Rachel); Thomas Kolar (Jocelyn); Robert Kolar; Matthew Brown Sr. (Ashley); Dylan Brown; and Michael Kerns (Ana); and his step-grandchildren: Jennifer Stewart; Jordan Sams (Will Bush); Nick Daniels; Cory Sams; Elena Sams; and Haley Sams Chaparro (Alexis).

He is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren, nine step-great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and extended family and friends who will remember him with love and carry his stories, lessons, and legacy into the future.

Celebration of Life

October 10, 2026
1–4 PM
Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport
2735 Crittenden Drive
Louisville, KY 40209

Rudy always loved a good party. We hope you can join us in sharing a story, poem, or prayer and celebrating Rudy’s life.

The family is deeply grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the VA Home-Based Primary Care Program, and the therapists, nurses, and caregivers who provided Rudy with compassionate support and care during his final year.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Rudy’s memory with a donation to Boys Town Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys, Disabled American Veterans, Wounded Warrior Project, or another veterans organization.