Rudolph Steinberger of Kennett Square

Rudolph Steinberger, 36-year veteran of Hercules Incorporated (19501986) and longtime Kennett Square community activist, died on Thursday, March 2nd, 2017 at the age of 92.

Rudi was born to Jewish parents in Bad Kissingen, Germany on May 1st, 1924. His whole family escaped Hitler, emigrating to the USA in 1934 (Rudi’s two older brothers) and 1937 (Rudi and parents).

Rudi attended the University of Chicago, earning a B.S. in Chemistry (1947) and an M.S. (1948) and Ph.D (1950) in Physical Organic Chemistry. He worked for Hercules Inc. from 1950 until his retirement in 1986.

In 1949, Rudi married Geneva Gaus—a fellow chemist and Chicago native--and a multitalented artist and craftswoman, active in the local art scene. They had three children (Michael in 1951, Andrew in 1953, and Elizabeth in 1964) and enjoyed 55 years of happy married life until Geneva’s death in 2004.

Rudi held a succession of managerial positions in research and development at Hercules facilities in MD (1950-1964), DE (1964-1973, 1981-1986), NJ (1969), NC (1973-1978), and GA (19781981), culminating in a position as Manager of Research and Development at Hercules headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware (19811986). Rudi’s work mostly concerned chemical-based rocket propellants (19501969) and polymer fibers for applications such as Herculon carpeting (19701986).

During his retirement years, Rudi was extremely active in Kennett Square civic projects. In the early 1990’s, Rudi was Chairman of the Kennett Area Park Authority and was instrumental in the development of Anson B. Nixon Park. He was very active in the Kennett Area Democrats, writing the monthly “On the Other Hand” column in the Kennett Paper (1992-2009). Rudi served on the boards of the Kennett Square Planning Commission and Historical Commission. In addition, he was active in the Kennett YMCA; tutored ESL at Kennett Library; and served as a Precinct Elections Judge.

There will be a memorial service at Rudi’s home in Kennett Square on June 10th at 3:00 PM. For more information, contact Rudi’s daughter Elizabeth at (919) 360-0593.

Memorial contributions may be made to Anson B. Nixon Park. Send checks, made out to KAPA (Kennett Area Park Authority) and marked “Rudi Steinberger Memorial Fund,” to KAPA, Box 1121, Kennett Square, PA 19348. Online condolences may be left on Rudi’s Caring Bridge web site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/rudisteinberger.