Adolph John Zoudlik

Adolph John Zoudlik
April 20, 1923 – April 19, 2913

Adolph John Zoudlik, 89, of Colorado Springs, passed away peacefully in his home one day shy of his 90th birthday on April 19, 2013.

He was born in New York City on April 20, 1923 to Czech immigrant parents. Adolph, known by his friends as “Art” and his family as “Opa,” first learned to speak Czech, followed by English and later would study Russian, German, and French. Beginning in high school, Adolph found his love in music and learned to play the violin, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, and the accordion. After the start of WWII, Adolph worked as a civilian machinist in a war plane factory, and later would be drafted to serve as an enlisted Soldier in the Army Air Corps. Upon completion of his enlistment he attended college earning his Bachelors Degree and then re-entered the U.S. Army as a Commissioned Officer. It was during his tour in Germany when he met his wife and the love of his life, Ilse Marie Fischer, and they had their only son Stephen Rudolph Zoudlik. Later in his career, Adolph served a one year combat tour in Vietnam, having arrived just before the Tet Offensive. Adolph retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel with 24 years of dedicated service in 1969 having earned a Masters Degree, the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with the 10 year device, the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, and the Bronze Star Medal. After retirement from the Army he earned his second Masters Degree and pursued careers in education and nursing home administration. In retirement Adolph enjoyed his love of reading, philosophy, I Ching, micro-biology and physics.

Adolph was preceded in death by his wife and the love of his life Ilse Marie Zoudlik. He is survived by his son, Stephen Rudolph (wife, Rosalia Ann) Zoudlik; his grandsons: Chief Petty Officer Stephen Edward (wife, Jessica Allida) Zoudlik, US Navy; and John Rudolph Zoudlik; and his great-grandchildren: Allison Marie Zoudlik; Melanie Ann Zoudlik; Stephen Alexander Zoudlik; and Avery Lynn Zoudlik.

A private military memorial service will be held at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80910.