Northfield News Thursday, October 8, 1987

By Danna filling
Last Wednesday might have been one of the best days of Rudolph "Rudge" Zanmiller's life.
No, Rudge didn't win a million dollars and he won't be winging his way to Las Vegas. Instead, he flew to Cannon Falls, Lake Byllesby and Faribault and saw some of his
Rudge Zanmiller and his hospice volunteer Mike Lemming gaze the sky for a glimpse of the helicopter.
favorite people — children.
Rudge, 82, was treated to a "whirlybird" ride and was greeted by hundreds of Northfield school kindergarteners at a reception held for him at the Northfield Hospital.
Rudge isn't well. He's a member of the Northfield Hospice program and he wanted a helicopter ride in the worst way.
And, through the kindness of others, he got it.
"I've never flown in a whirlybird," Rudge said. But, no matter, he wasn't afraid.
"I should say not," he said with conviction.
But the 'copter ride wasn't the only thing that made Rudge smile — and shed a few tears — last week.
Children have always been a joy to Rudge, a former tinsmith and neighborhood pal to hundreds of youngsters over the years.
"I wish they were going with me," Rudge said as he sat in the helicopter.
"Are you excited Rudge?" his hospice volunteer Mike Lemming asked.
"Who wouldn't be with all these children here?" he answered.
Rudge's ride was coordinated through the efforts of Chip DeMann, Northfield Hospice, Lemming, and KARE, Channel 11. Lemming was the one who picked up on Rudge's dream to have the ride. Lemming and DeMann then made the contacts with Channel 11.
The helicopter was flown by Max Messmer, of Channel 11 's crew, and Rudge was interviewed by Tom Ryther and his story was shown Tuesday on news shows at 6 a.m., 5 and 10 p.m.
Rudge lives at the hospital's Dilley Unit, but
he wishes he could be at his home, with  "children."
"I wish they were home with me," he said c the youngsters.

Rudge was the host of the neighborhood before he became ill. Taking care of broke doll buggies and just being an all-around area guy made Rudge the oldest kid on the block
When he was 60, the children of hi neighborhood — Rudge lived at 917 W Second — hosted a birthday party for him
Rudge's woodworking shop was the main draw for those kids back then, but according to an article in the Northfield News in 1975, there were other things the man did to have fun with the kids. He'd host backyard picnics, treated his apprentices to ice cream cones and even taught one youngster to drive his truck.
Although last week's ride was a dream-come-true for Rudge, this isn't the end of his wish list.
He said he wants to ride in a "big airplane" as opposed to the open-cock pit Jenny he flew in over 55 years ago, and a balloon, he said, "that would be a nice ride."
When Rudge landed back at the hospital, he
was greeted with cheers and applause by the
children. He said it was. a beautiful ride and he
wasn't afraid, although it was chilly in the
helicopter.	,
His wife Elsie was there, too. When her husband was taken from the helicopter, she brushed his forehead with a soft kiss.
She said she was happy he was back on the ground.

Children were as much a part of the fun as the helicopter ride.    Rudge well. Rudge was also honored at a special reception at Kindergartners from Northfield schools were on hand to wish     the Northfield Hospital after the helicopter ride.

                                                         Photos by Danna Filing
It was a dream come true for Rudge Zanmiller.
He smiled and waved to well-wishers before he took off with the Channel 11 pilot.

Scanned into word document from old news paper clipping for Elizabeth H Zanmiller Knoll
     01/12/2008

MK