Richard "Brud" A. Brudwick

Rick “Brud” Brudwick, age 67 of Ferndale, WA went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, after a short illness and severe brain hemorrhage. He was surrounded by family. Rick was the first born to Marlys (Pederson) and Allan Brudwick on October 1, 1955, in Fort Knox, Kentucky.

While his dad served in the U.S. Army, Rick went to four elementary schools across the states and in Germany. While playing youth football in Germany, Rick wanted to quit. His mom told him if he really wanted to, he would have to be the one to tell the coach. Rick couldn’t do it, and continued playing. Over the years he credited his mom for her stance on being responsible to your commitments. The years passed and his love for football and other sports grew large.

After his dad retired and the family settled back in Ferndale, he attended Frank Alexander Junior High and Ferndale High School graduating with the class of 1974, making numerous life-long friends. There he played football and baseball, excelling at both.

After graduation from high school, Rick worked at Ershigs, Inc. for one year before deciding to return to school. Always being a local boy, he chose to attend Western Washington State College (currently WWU) where he played football for the Vikings for four years and studied for four, while helping coach Viking football. He graduated from WWU in 1983 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. His long years at the college were always a joke among the family, but like all things, Rick did it the Rick way and always maintained he wouldn’t change a thing.

Following his graduation from WWU Rick returned to Ferndale High School where he taught Leadership and P.E. for 34 years. He coached football 30 years and had a special relationship and love for his Linemen, those on the front line protecting the team. He coached baseball for eight years and track for three. Rick represented the blue and gold with pride and dedication. “Eagle Pride Inside”.

He loved and lived life in a BIG way. As a teacher and coach, he believed there was no short cut for discipline and hard work. He taught many students what healthy leadership looked like, leading by example. He believed in challenging his students and wanted them to step out of their comfort zone. Rick taught them to look for those students on the fringe and let them be seen; to include those others don’t. He loved the students he taught, but had an extra-large spot in his heart for those students with special needs. He formed remarkable bonds with many of them during his years teaching. After retirement he went back to substitute teach in the Special Education classrooms. He believed in community service and asked his students to participate as well. 

He was a quiet man with a deep faith. Rick loved his family well. His great joy, when the nieces and nephews began joining the family, was to take them on special outings to movies, parks, shopping and more. He was interested in events they participated in. Uncle Rick was proud to have had six of his nieces and nephews in his Leadership class and some PE classes. When the great-nephews began arriving, he soon became known as “Uncle Trick” and loved it.

 Rick was preceded in death by his mom, Marlys, and youngest brother, Rod. Grandparents Irvin (Sr.) and Evelyn Pederson and Ole and Berna Brudwick, all of Ferndale, WA. He is survived by his dad, Allan and sister Linda (Guy) Watson and sister-in-law Marianne Brudwick all of Ferndale, brothers Ron (Dora) of Arizona and Randy (Karen) of Snohomish. Nieces and nephews, Jennifer Brudwick Sloan, Jamie (Brad) Schwisow, Jeff (Elizabeth) Watson, Bo (Hannah) Brudwick, Katie (Conor) Palomarez, Kyler (Taylor) Brudwick, Jeremy Brudwick, and Cris (Andrea) Benn. Great-nephew’s Dylan and Evan Watson, William and James Schwisow, Henry Palomarez, Garrett Benn and numerous other family members.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Cornwall Church. Reception to follow. Dress casual and wear Ferndale Golden Eagle attire or blue and gold, if possible.

Memorial donations in Rick’s name can be sent to:

Special Olympics of Washington.

215 2^nd Ave. Ste.370

Seattle, WA 98121

https://youtu.be/XT5bNOeqpsE