Albert (Al) Eugene Dudeck, PhD

Albert (Al) Eugene Dudeck, PhD, age 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Gainesville, Florida on 23 May 2024.  

Born in West Hazleton, Pennsylvania on 16 October 1936, he was a son of the late Edward and Mary (Hollodick) Dudeck.  He married his beloved wife of 65 years, Dolores Dudinyak, in 1959 at Transfiguration Church in West Hazleton.  After earning his PhD in Agronomy at Penn State University in 1964, he worked in turf grass research.  The family lived in Lincoln, Nebraska and then Fort Lauderdale, Florida before settling in Gainesville, Florida, where Al resided with his family for over 50 years.  He was a leading turf grass researcher, and he was a professor at the University of Florida’s Department of Environmental Horticulture and IFAS until his retirement in 2002.  Throughout his career, he evaluated and developed grasses resistant to southern chinch bugs and sod viruses, focusing especially on golf courses and home lawns.  He travelled with his wife Dolores and presented his findings at many conferences in locations such as New Zealand and Australia, Italy, Hawaii, and Wales.  He was a respected researcher, and he passed on his wisdom to the countless students he taught during his long career. 

Al was an active member of the Gainesville Catholic community, and he helped build Holy Faith Catholic Church in its beginnings at its current location.  After his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering his services at his parish, St. Madeleine Catholic Church in High Springs, Florida, assisting with maintenance of the Memorial Garden and serving with his family at Sunday morning hospitality for years.  He loved fishing, cooking, home improvement projects, and spending time with his ever-growing family.

Al is preceded in death by his parents, sister Eleanor Kulaga of Leesburg, Virginia, brother Leo Dudeck of Leesburg, Virginia, and granddaughter Elizabeth Dudeck of Gainesville, Florida.  

He is survived by his loving wife Dolores, his children Ken (Dian) Dudeck, Gainesville; Monica (Tony) Glynn, Gainesville; and Kathy (Dave) Collart, Covington, Georgia.  He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren: Adam Price; John Dudeck;Matthew Dudeck; Thomas Dudeck; Timothy (Serafina) Collart;Mary (Chase) Mack; Sr. Maria Faustina Collart, SOLT; Br. Andrew Collart, SOLT; Peter (Bridget) Collart, Anne Collart(fiancé Jake Pavia); Daniel Collart (fiancée Gabby Weyrauch);Joseph Collart; Kateri Collart; and Hannah Glynn.  Ten great-grandchildren also survive: Dominic, Thérèse, Felix, and Juliette Collart; Henry, Rose, Veronica, and Oliver Mack; and Stella and Lucy Collart. His brother Edward Dudeck of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania also survives, as do many nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to A Woman’s Answer Medical Center (AWA) or the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT).  Arrangements under care of Phillip & Sons The Funeral Directors, Inc.  

The family would also like to acknowledge and thank the staff—and especially his nurse Lisa—at Community Hospice for their compassionate care and support.

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