A warm and vigorous human being. A stout friend. I miss him.

My husband Charles had fond memories of Rud when he lived in New Zealand. I found a reference to the impact Rud had on his spiritual life just recently. Charles was sad he didn’t manage to get in touch before he died. He always spoke of Rud with great affection. I met him in the UK in 1974(?) .. the photo was taken at Alnwick Fair, Northumberland. I have other photos of Rud and from that time. Jill Foister July 2025

I met Rud when he came to Venezuela in a meditation retreat. Kind and friendly we kept in touch since then. He is missed.

A truly beautiful and unforgettable human being. I met Rud once or twice only but his irrepressible enthusiasm, his love for his family, friends,and cats, has remained with me. He has left an indelible impression on the world.

I first med Rud, with his 2 sons in Sydney in the early 1990's, when he was visiting friends there. Then we ended up living in the same neighbourhood years later in Thames after the establishment of the Sudarshanaloka Retreat Centre. He was always larger than life, enjoying a good yarn, music and singing and we shared a love of cats! He also deeply loved his family and mokopuna who brought him great delight. One favourite memory I have is that I was coordinating for a troupe of Bellydance and Drummer friends from Auckland to attend the Steampunk festival in Thames, and they were stuck for accomodation. I rang Rud on the off-chance and he agreed to let them take over his house for the weekend, I think they paid him in wine! Not only that but he then offered it to them again for the following year and made friends with some of them. He was one of a kind, and I'll always remember him. Much love to all the Ward whanau.

We are so sorry that Rud has left this life. We have so many great memories from our road trips both in NZ and Sweden. I especially remember his appreciation when we visited a Viking village in Sweden and took him on a moose safari in an SUV. He was so excited to find new adventures. To unite our countries, he had a sign made with the text Kiwi room and installed it in his room in our cottage in Varmland, Sweden. Since then this room has been reserved for the NZ family. We will always remember the great friendship and his sense of humor. Rest in peace. We will follow the live stream today. Mikael & Eva

I was neighbours with Jennifer, Rud’s sister, for the first 20 years of my life and during that time spent a great part of it there.. I fondly remember Rud over that time and was lucky enough to spend an evening with him a couple of years ago in Thames.. he was always such a lovely man with a warm smile, a sparkle in his eye and a love for his family that you could feel a mile away! I will have a glass of wine and cheers to you tomorrow night Rud and my thoughts are with you all ❤️

Very sad news. Through my friendship with Mat and Dave, Rud became a huge part of my early and teenage years. He welcomed me (and many other troublemaking teenagers) into his home for many years with great tolerance and generosity. I learnt a lot from Rud without actually being taught. We all appreciated his honesty, enjoyed his irreverent sense of humour (as the bishop said to the actress) and respected his intellect. Rud was an unapologetically unique man and I am deeply thankful to have spent so much time with him. I'm sorry that I can't be there with you all at this time. But my thoughts are with you.

I'm so sad that my dear friend Rutherford Ward has died at the age of 78. I think that the closest friends of his parents, Zillah and Bill Ward, were my parents, Peggy and Dick Benefield, when all were in their prime and living in Whanganui. That's where their children were born and became like first cousins to each other. This affection was for life. It includes my family's move to Rata Road in Wellington, my marriage to Douglas Wilson (also from Whanganui), and the birth and lives of our and Rud's children. Douglas and I will both be 80 this year. We are great-grandparents, living in a retirement village in Aotea, Porirua. My sister Jane and my brother Richard also live in the greater Wellington region and they will both have fond memories of Rud and the remarkable Ward family, including Brad, Dawn, Jenny and Ashleigh. I will especially remember Rud in his black leather motorbike outfit, and also the welcome he and Sandra gave us when we first went overseas to London. They showed us around and were “family” for our two little boys, Adam and Saul, aged about 1-2. It was Adam (now in his 50's) who told us Rud had died. I'm glad that Rud and I shared so much of our lives. I'm sorry that I am not well enough to go to his funeral. He was like a brother to me, all his life.

Remember with fondness the early days in Wanganui, working with Sandy, living round the corner, many bottles of wine and fabulous meals, the birth of their lovely boys. I moved to Cambridge and married Richard, known to Rud as Just Richard, hosted the family for the 1978 NZ Rowing Champs at Lake Karapiro. We watched the boys grow into their respective roles, enjoyed David and his music with the India Inc Theatre Company and delighted in the posts re the grandies. Although we didn't see each other regularly Rud was always there with his warm grin, his amazing hugs and so suppportive when Richard died. Another beautiful soul has left my life, you will be missed, beautiful

It's dreadful when an old friend decides time is up. Our memorable times with Rud included wife Sandra in the heady days of the late 60s and early 70s in Wellington's Tinakori, Wadestown and Karori. We worked with fervour on projects like the Vietnam War protest movement, "Peace, Power and Politics" conference _ as Committee on Vietnam members, producing "Vietnam Quote and Comment," marching in the streets.  The anti-tour movement followed, with events like Molesworth Street, and twice-weekly nationwide protests the focus for anti-apartheid groups. Rud was a great participant, rolling up his sleeves to help organise, plan and protest. We held long conversations on so many issues, drank more bad wine than we could remember, even held barbecues - with vegetarians Rud and Sandra as participants. His legal standing was greatly respected, his knowledge voluminous, his time freely available and given. Jenny and Ray will miss him, including our irregular email contacts in recent times. Ray & Jenny Lilley, Martinborough.

A sad loss but a great friend I will never forget his humour and his great smile. Rest in peace my friend.

Gutted as I write this tribute to my legendary Uncle Rud, who unexpectedly left us on June 10th. He was way more than just an uncle to me—always there, full of love, and heaps of personality. From when I was a kid to growing up, Uncle Rud's caring nature was epic. He made every moment we spent together a memorable one. He loved his kids Mat and Dave, as well as my mum his lil sis with a fierce devotion. But let's mention Uncle Rud’s wicked sense of humor and his own take on etiquette. Those fresh asparagus rolls? You guessed it, he didn't care about any fancy rules whatever the occasion—he'd shamelessly scoff ‘em down without a care in the world. This showed us all that sometimes it's the simple pleasures that matter most. When times got tough, Uncle Rud had our backs. He'd dish out comfort and support like a true legend, helping us through life's hurdles. And when it was time to celebrate, Uncle Rud’s presence was felt. He made every occasion unforgettable, bringing his infectious energy and laughter to our family gatherings. Even though he's not here with us anymore, the memories we shared will always light up our hearts. Uncle Rud, your love and inspiration will never fade. Rest in peace. With love, Olly

While sad to lose Rud, I am grateful for the time we spent together as editorial colleagues at Brookers. Rud took great delight in sharing his travel photos with staff, which revealed the adventurous side of his personality. I have kept copies of the wonderful snaps he took while on his motorbike tour of northern Vietnam, as well as a nice one he took of me at my desk. These more than compensate for the occasional moments of mischief when he would poke me in the back while I was at the photocopier. He was a friendly soul and I'm sure these momentary lapses were meant to enliven my day. Arohanui, old friend. May the Buddha grant you release from earthly desire and eternal restfulness in Nirvana. John

Back in the very early 70s we met Rud in the UK - we became firm friends, letting us stay in the London flat, visiting us on the Thames Sailing Barge we had. He took the trouble to bring a Victorian plate we'd given him years earlier back to us. Generous to a fault & devoted to his family. He has closed his eyes on Time and opened them in Eternity, an Eternity of Peace and joy xxx