Rudolph “Rudy” Albin Hazucha, 63, accomplished musician, teacher, avid golfer and great humorist passed away peacefully Friday, April 14, 2006. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Nov. 19, 1942, he was a son of Albin Hazucha of Columbus, Ohio, and the late Margaret Ploscik Hazucha.

He was a graduate of Cleveland Institute of Music and received his B.M. and MA degrees from Eastman School of Music. While he was at Eastman School of Music, he was introduced to the work of Dr. Schinichi Suzuki.

Rudy was the musical director for Lynchburg Talent Education Suzuki School; musical director of the Central Virginia Suzuki Institute; instructor of violin at Sweet Briar College; conductor of Sweet Briar College Chamber Orchestra; co-principal second violin of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, a member of the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra, member and registered teacher trainer of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and first violin of Lynchburg Chamber Players.

He started the Lynchburg Public Schools String program 34 years ago and also started the Suzuki violin program at Lynchburg College. He was a faculty member/clinician at workshops and Suzuki Institutes across the country, former member of the Board of Directors of Suzuki Association of the Americas, former member of the Violin Committee of Suzuki Association of the Americas; past president of Central Virginia Music Teachers Association; former first violin of the James String Quartet, Adamo String Quartet, Phi Mu Alpha String Quartet; participant in the 2001 Starling-Delay Symposium on Teaching the Exceptional Violinist. He was a former member and conductor of the Lynchburg Symphony. Rudy’s greatest enjoyment in life was to see a child learn to play a musical instrument.

In addition to his father, he is survived by two sons, Jason Rudolph Hazucha of Ypsilanti, MI and Jordan Paul Hazucha of Lynchburg; three sisters, Rose Marie Walker and husband, Richard, Aggie Peterson, Terri Hazucha, all of Columbus, Ohio; a brother, John Hazucha and his wife, Laura, of New Lexington; two grandchildren, Barrett Moses and Willow Hazucha; a number of nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends Susan and George Fralin.

A celebration of his life will be held on April 30 between 1:00 and 4:00 at Monte Carlo Restaurant in Lynchburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Roanoke Symphony, The Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave., Suite 200, Roanoke, VA 24016; Suzuki Association of the Americas c/o teaching development, PO Box 17310 Boulder, CO 80308; Sweet Briar College Music Department, Box G, Sweet Briar, VA 24595.