Rudolf Paul
Former Owner of Rudys’ 2900 Restaurant
Restaurant Manager and Maitre ‘d of Caves Valley Golf Club
Rudolf (Rudi) Paul, a consummate professional in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry and local celebrity, died in his home on Tuesday November 10th after a two year battle with multiple myeloma. He was 74.
Rudi was born in the small town of Langula in eastern Germany in 1941. His father died when he was nine and his mother raised him in post-war East Germany, behind the ‘Iron Curtain’. Life for the family and village was difficult as food, basic necessities and good jobs were scarce. After his regular schooling, Rudi decided that he wanted to become a professional waiter. He completed his training but dreamed of a better life and had the courage to make it happen.
He escaped East Germany in 1963 in a harrowing experience that easily could have cost him his life or many years in prison. His paid collaborators arranged for forged documents and transportation to Sweden where he eventually got a job as a waiter. Subsequently he took jobs in West Germany, England and Scotland. In 1966, he left for Bermuda and worked at the Hamilton Princess until 1971. He entered the U.S. and worked at the Hunt Valley Inn in Baltimore County during 1971-72 and became the Manager of the restaurant. During this time he met the love of his life, Rose Gibson. They married in 1972.
He and Rose returned to Bermuda that same year where Rudi had the opportunity to manage the very upscale Newport Room, located in the Southampton Princess Hotel. He served many famous people: Queen Elizabeth, Harry Belafonte, Dustin Hoffman, Connie Francis and many others.
He and Rose returned to the U.S. in 1975 to manage Peerce’s Plantation restaurant. Rudi also became an American citizen in 1981, one of the proudest moments of his life. He loved America dearly and the freedom that many of us take for granted.
In 1983, he opened his own restaurant “Rudys’ 2900” with partner-Chef, Rudolph Speckamp. The restaurant thrived for almost twenty-three years and was written up in Baltimore Magazine and many other publications as one of Baltimore’s best restaurants. Rudys’ 2900 closed in 2005.
Shortly after, Rudi accepted a position at the exclusive Caves Valley Golf Club in northern Baltimore County, serving as the Food and Beverage Manager, essentially the maître’ d of the restaurant. He was there for ten years and was universally loved and respected.
Despite all his successes, Rudi remained a very humble person. He loved life and was the consummate people person. He treated everyone with respect and dignity, whatever their position in life. He was a charming, charismatic man with boundless energy, and an uncanny memory about personal details, which endeared him to everyone he met. He had a generous, loving heart, touching many lives with his presence and will be so greatly missed by his family and friends from all over the world.
In addition to his beloved wife of 43 years, Rose Paul of Finksburg, MD, survivors include two daughters: Laura Boyden and husband Jamie of Mainesburg, PA, Julia Gonzalez and husband Robert of Hampstead, MD; five grandchildren: Brittany Gonzalez, Nathan Gonzalez, Devon Drayton, Molly Gonzalez, Luke Gonzalez; great-grandson: Colton Konarski.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at the Eline Funeral Home in Finksburg, MD on Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 11:00am to 12:00pm, followed by a celebration of Rudi’s life at 12:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at www.themmrf.org.
The family can receive online condolences at www.elinefh.com