MCHR celebrates the life and legacy of long term MCHR supporter Ruthven “Rudy” Simons. Rudy, 95, died peacefully in his home on Nov. 16, 2024. Rudy was a long term MCHR board member, past co-chair and advisory board member and peace activist icon. Rudy’s lifetime of work to advance human rights and promote peace was remarkable. From his work as a young man courageously traveling to the deep south and being on the front lines of the civil rights movement and engaging in protest and activism against the Vietnam War, to the more than 20 delegations to the Middle East, Central America and beyond, bearing witness to human rights violations, and meeting with leaders to discuss meaningful peaceful solutions, to his weekly presence in Ferndale on the corner of 9 mile and Woodward encouraging drivers to “Honk for Peace”. Rudy was an integral player in so many human rights organizations, including MCHR, ACLU, NCAAP, Cranbrook Peace Foundation, Peace Action of Michigan, and WSU Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution, just to name just a few.
Rudy was the beloved husband for 36 years of Roseanne; loving father of Joshua (Daniela Cappelli) and Eli; adoring grandfather of Sidney and Ruben. He is survived by his sons of the heart, Morris Fabbri (Disha Subramaniam) and Tony Fabbri. He was the cherished uncle of Seymour (MaryAnn) Schwartz, Ruth (Marty) Seltzer, Mindy Schwartz, Laura Lampert, David (Andrea) Lampert, Lisa Lampert Ziperski, Mark Lampert, Claudia Lampert. He is also survived by other loving relatives and friends. The family would like to thank his devoted caregivers, Ronda and Carol. Mr. Simons was the beloved son of the late Seymour and the late Ruth Simons; brother of the late Shirley (the late Charles) Schwartz and the late Sarah (the late Seymour) Lampert; uncle of the late Oscar Schwartz.
