Received from Rudi's family.

Rudolf Max Nebel, Lt. Col (USMC retired), age 67, passed away May 28, 2003,, after a hard battle with cancer. Rudi, as he was known to his friends and family, was bom on November 22, 1935 in Audobon, NJ, the youngest of three, bom to Erwin and Katherine, who had come to the US from Germany.
After high school, Rudi enlisted in the Marine Corps. After 6 years as an enlisted man, he entered the Naval Cadet Flight Training program, graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant, and earned his 'Wings' as a Naval Aviator. He went on to become a Helicopter pilot, and
flight instructor. He served in Vietnam twice, as a medivac pilot, rescuing wounded soldiers from enemy territory. He was a decorated soldier, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal (awarded for combat missions under enemy fire - over 600 missions), the Good Conduct Medal, the Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and numerous other service awards and ribbons. During his service years, he obtained a Bachelors from the University of Rhode Island, a Masters from the University of Southern California, and is a graduate of the Naval War College, in Newport, RI. After 25 years in the Marines, Rudi retired to Chipley, Florida.
During his retirement, he was an active member of the USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association, President of the Washington County Historical Society, a substitute teacher
at Chipley High School, a member of the Teen Court, and a member of the Marine Air Traffic Control Association (MATCA).
He also operationalized and ran the Beefrnaster and Big Sam's Fried Chicken restaurant chains, and managed the St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club restaurant.
Rudi was an avid photographer, gardener and nature lover. He loved to travel, and chronicled his journeys through pictures. He was an excellent chef, and enjoyed cooking for friends and family (and was featured in Better Homes & Gardens). He was a
voracious reader, and has accumulated (and read) hundreds if not thousands of books over the years.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Martha Van Vlake Nebel, of Chipley, his children, Karl Nebel, Winter Springs, Florida, Mike Nebel, Tacoma Washington, Erika Arnold, Lewes, Delaware, and Tamas Nebel, Orlando, Florida. He is also survived by his brothers
Hans Nebel and Frank Junger and sister, Herta Scheidhauer, of New Jersey., and 9 grandchildren. Rudi has touched many over the years, and we are all thankful that he was a part of our lives. He was a patriot, a leader of men, a good husband, father and
grandfather, and will be missed by all.
Services were held at the Wachob Chapel at 1 lam, Saturday, May 31st.