Joseph Neil Rudd

On September 17, 2023, Joseph “Neil” Rudd, 88, of Ripon, CA, passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife of 64 years, Jeannie, and his children by his side.

Neil grew up in Manteca, California and graduated from Manteca High School in 1954. He joined the Army and served both stateside and in Germany. After his military service, he attended Modesto Junior College where he played football. He then transferred to Humboldt State University where he studied Forestry and continued to play football at wide receiver and tight end for the Lumberjacks. He also received an invitation from the Baltimore Colts to attend Training Camp.

Neil’s professional career began in the dairy industry where he and his father owned and operated Rudd Manufacturing in Ripon for 14 years. Neil’s talent at designing and building dairy equipment for customers throughout California, along with collaboration with his father, resulted in three patents. When Rudd Mfg. was sold, Neil moved from the dairy industry to the almond industry. In 1975, he and three partners purchased Mid-State Manufacturing, designing, building, and servicing processing plants for the almond industry. During his tenure at Mid-State, which was later bought by LMC, Neil had clients throughout the state of California and even as far away as Greece and Australia. In 2002, Neil started his own company, Rudd Almond Equip, Inc., where he focused on his customers in the Chico and Central Valley areas. He was well respected in the almond industry for his innovative designs, industrious nature, and worked right up until the week of his passing. He truly enjoyed his occupation and valued the friendships he developed over a career of nearly 50 years.

In his free time, Neil enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, golf, backpacking, and when first married, dancing with his beloved wife, winning a few dance competitions. He especially enjoyed spending time with Jeannie at their cabin in Hope Valley, CA, where the family would often gather for weekends and holidays, playing many hands of Pinochle. Neil coached Little League (Nestles), served on the Ripon Recreation Commission, was a member and past-president of the Ripon Lions Club, was a supporting member of the Ripon Arts League, was a long-time member of the Almond Hullers and Processors Association (now Almond Alliance of CA), and was a life-long 49ers fan. Neil’s 1955 Ford Custom-line sedan also won the Award of Excellence at the American Graffiti car show multiple years.

Neil is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Agnes Rudd, and his brother Ronald Rudd. He is survived by his wife, Jeannie Rudd, children Jeff (Karen) Rudd, Mike (Karen) Rudd, Jill (Jan) Kamler, Gina (Mike) Vieira and eight grandchildren: Jarrett and Tyler Rudd, Kourtney and Kelsey Rudd, Hana and Ema Kamler, and Lauren and Sydney Vieira.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 14, 2023, from 3:00  to 6:00 PM at the Ripon VFW Post 1050 Hall, 12455 W. Ripon Road.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Seva Hospice 5380 Pirrone Rd., Suite 301A, Salida, CA 95368; Ripon Fire Department, 142 S. Stockton Ave., Ripon, CA 95366; or Ripon Arts League PO Box 134, Ripon, CA 95366.