James Rudd

James D. Rudd, 63, of Hillsboro, North Dakota, died Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND after a brief illness. Jim was born July 10, 1951 in Cranford, NJ, the son of James W. and Margaret F. Rudd. He graduated from Cranford High School in 1969 and went on to receive his Bachelor's degree in Biology from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY in 1973. Jim started his athletic training career in 1973 when he was an Assistant Athletic Training Intern with the Philadelphia Eagles. In 1974, he came to the University of North Dakota as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer and received his Master's degree in Physical Education in 1981. He held various athletic training positions at Mercer County Community College in Trenton, NJ; Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS; West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV; and Valdosta State College in Valdosta, GA. In 1989, he returned to the University of North Dakota as Head Athletic Trainer and Program Director. In 2004, he semi-retired but continued to teach classes and acted as an academic advisor within the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Jim married Elaine Lerfald from Grand Forks, ND on December 20, 1975 and they had one daughter, Jennifer, who was born on April 6, 1979 in Manhattan, KS. Jim is survived by his wife, Elaine of Hillsboro, ND; daughter, Jennifer (Adam) Renkly of Fargo, ND; mother, Margaret Rudd of Cranford, NJ; sister, Janis (Chris) Newhouse of Bellaire, TX; brother, Jay (Loretta) Rudd of Kingsbury, TX. He is preceded in death by his father, James W. Rudd. Services will be held Sunday, August 10th at 2:00 p.m. at the Hopper-Danley Memorial Chapel. It is located on the banks of the English Coulee, adjacent to the Adelphi Fountain and the Hughes Fine Arts Center on the UND Campus. In lieu of flowers, Jim's family invites you to donate to the UND Foundation to benefit the UND Sports Medicine Program at: UND Foundation; Sports Medicine (Account 61465); 3501 University Ave., Stop 8157; Grand Forks, ND; 58202. A guestbook may be signed or viewed at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com.