KEHKLA, RUDY January 12, 1950 – June 18, 2021 Lover of life; larger than life. Exceptional in so many ways – with warmth, caring, and profound insight.
He had a strong passion for sailing, kayaking, skiing, frisbee. Scrabble master. Nature lover. Fascinated by weather – prayed for snow, loved a good storm, being in a tent in the rain. Storyteller. Beach-comber. Explorer. Rudy was always drawn to the ocean, lakes. Perhaps started with trips with his parents, and sister cottaging in Maine. Summers at the family cottage on 12 Mile Bay.
Sailed for 2 years down the Atlantic coast to the Caribbean, crewing on sailboats there, leading to an Atlantic crossing on the tall ship, Thor Heyerdahl. Returning to Canada, enjoyed cottaging, camping, solo trips to Killarney by kayak. His final destination brought him back to the ocean to his waterfront property in Nova Scotia. He was surrounded by an artistic family, particularly inspired by his grandfather. Rudy completed his Bachelor of Science, expanding his understanding of human anatomy and went on to study Architecture. Starting with sketching, his creativity evolved to assembling rocks into sculptures and on to working with wire.
He described his wire sculptures as “sketching in air.” His use of negative space created a 3D image casting a perfect 2D shadow. He was represented by galleries throughout Canada, with his sculptures landing around the globe. For many years Rudy exhibited at the “One of a Kind Show” where he had been inducted into their “Hall of Fame”. Loving father to 2 beautiful children, Elliott and Erin, whom he adored, and who believed he could fix anything, including their broken clay sculptures.
He will be greatly missed, he truly was One of a Kind. Survived by partner Jill, son Elliott, daughter Erin, sister Debby, brother-in-law Grant, and aunt Edith.