Rudolph (Rudi) Albert Leonardi Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Rudi Leonardi, of Mill Valley, California, on January 13, 2024, at the age of 76. Our beloved brother, uncle and friend, passed with family by his side, from complications following the repair of an unexpected brain aneurysm. Rudi was born in Wyoming and moved to Odgen, Utah when he was seven. In second grade Rudi decided he was going to be a Catholic priest, as he recognized his calling for service. He was incredibly compassionate and kind. As the eldest of seven, he took care of his siblings and others at an early age. As an altar boy, ages 8-13, he served at funerals and would accompany families to the cemetery to be of service. He innately knew how to put his wings around people, joining them in the emotional depths of tough times, and helping them come back up and out again. Rudi first made his way to California to attend high school at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Mountain View, after having achieved Eagle Scout rank at the young age of thirteen and graduating from 8th grade. He attended St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, CA, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy. At the age of 22, he left the seminary, knowing that the only way he could stay was if he “could change the situation in the church”. Rudi was innately a visionary and an advocate for what he was passionate about. He brought higher visions into play as he wanted us all to be liberated from structures that held us down. He developed the skills to bring those visions into sustainable structures that are still in place today in our communities. Rudi established himself as a pillar of the San Francisco Bay Area community, where he was well known and loved by those who have become his extended California family. People have called him the unofficial Mayor of Mill Valley, as he was always at the epicenter of whatever was happening. He is described as a most kind, supportive, and compassionate soul, with an eloquent way with words and an intelligent, thoughtful approach to life. He contributed personally to the lives of so many individuals and at the same time, took actions that benefitted our communities, and our world. Rudi knew we were all deeply interconnected and we needed these connections with each other, as each of us were essential in making a difference in our world. Rudi was a gifted healer, advocate and supporter of many different social circles, including artists, musicians, health and wellness influencers, spiritual groups and environmental movers and shakers. He left an incredible legacy, and will continue to be greatly missed and treasured by his family and friends. We acknowledge him for who he is, what he did, and also for who we are because he left his footprints in our hearts and the social and political fabric of our world. Rudi was a leader and an advocate, whether it was through his own business ventures or assuming multiple roles in various companies and start-ups. He held a special passion for projects that made a difference in shaping the social fabric of our lives and the marketplace. He partnered with those who were seeking to make a significant difference to impact the world stage. He was exceptionally tenacious and focused as a powerful strategic voice politically and impacted health policies to protect our food, environment and choices for a healthy lifestyle. Rudi has gained national and state recognition, shaping viable business and public policies through his innovative ideas and creative ways that got results. This was his gift and his legacy! Rudi began his political career as Student Body President at San Jose State University, where he also earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He was awarded a CORO Foundation Fellowship for leadership. Knowing what it took to be a strong leader, he was quoted saying, “A politician must be willing to work with people. He can’t do it alone. The power of the group is all important in society and government. It is our most efficient and effective system.” For nearly ten years, he was an appointed public official for the city of Oakland. As part of his career in civil California/Nevada Community Action Association. He was then President of Western Regions & National Director of Training for the National Office for Social Responsibility. When Rudi took on a project, he was committed to make every step a masterful one. He was principled and operated from a place of integrity and honesty, unwilling to compromise the vision. He was brilliant and resourceful, with an intellect that was sharp and keen. As a visionary, he had alternative ways of thinking about almost everything. Open to many possibilities, there was no end to how many different ways he could intuit or think about a subject. His gift was bringing the vision he held into concrete systems that could be duplicated by others, to revolutionize the way things were done in our world. He made a difference by initiating many firsts, the structures of which became models for other communities, businesses and governments. Rudi had a rich inner landscape from which he expressed creatively as a professional artist in oils. He would curiously mine the deeper truth about life, as he was fascinated with the diversity and complexities of the universe. He had a strong spirituality and intuitive knowing of the phenomenal depth and breadth of the invisible world. Adventure took him into other cultures as well as the exploration of the fundamental nature of reality and existence. He was an accomplished speaker and a published writer. Rudi was a vegan and proud of it, and an advocate for raw living food. With his passion for health, he enhanced the platform that “Quality Food is a Human Right”. Rudi is preceded in death by his parents, Irene and Aldo Leonardi of Ogden, Utah and his brother David Leonardi of Knoxville, TN. He will be lovingly remembered by his five siblings: Linda Hays (Phillip) of Placerville, California, Margaret Piela of Sammamish, Washington, Donna Lizza (Dennis) of Ogden, Utah, John Leonardi (Karen) of Ogden, Utah, and Joe Leonardi (Lisa) of Monroe, Washington, 20 nieces and nephews and a loving community of San Fransisco Bay area friends who became his extended family. JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF RUDI LEONARDI Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 12:00 - 3:00 PM Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Avenue in Mill Valley, CA 94941. See the invite on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/3tNE0mWCF Family contact: Rudi’s sister Margaret piela@drizzle.com DONATIONS We all knew Rudi was an advocate for so many causes. To contribute to his legacy, consider donating to a cause in which you both shared an interest. We welcome you to share your unique gifts and talents with Rudi's family and community, in honoring Rudi and making this gathering a special occasion that we will all remember. This service will be recorded. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS FROM RUDI LEONARDI'S CAREER, CLICK THIS LINK BELOW TO ENJOY THE DETAILS OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT IMPACTED THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES AND HUMANITY AS A WHOLE . NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS FROM RUDI LEONARDI'S CAREER https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t2eDFiiHKvz1_TbOOEE049BPTRqBSBJ3HoUOhWdpg1c/edit?usp=sharing

Tributes

Rudolph (Rudi) Albert Leonardi

February 11, 1947 - January 13, 2024