Rudolph "Rudy" Biro

Rudolph Paul Biro (Rudy) July 12, 1922 – September 5, 2021

Loved by so many, our Dad passed away peacefully at home on September 5th, 2021.  Rudy was with us for 99 years, he was a lifelong Washingtonian, Born at Walter Reed hospital on July 12th, 1922.  Both of his parents immigrated from Hungary and his father served in the US Army Air Corp.  He grew up exploring the Potomac River with his twin brother, John, in Anacostia. With aspirations of serving our country, Rudy and his brother would venture down to the Potomac River and watch the Navy’s ships sailing in and out of the DC Navy Yard.  He attended Anacostia High School where he lettered in football and played on the golf team.  Rudy joined the US Naval Reserves while still in high school at the age of 17. He is a World War II veteran, and sailed in the Atlantic and Pacific.  He was an original Plank Owner and spent the final 2 ½ years of WWII as Chief Gunners Mate on the sub hunter and Destroyer Escort, USS Stewart, DE 238. The Stewart is the last WWII Edsel Class Destroyer in existence and is dry docked in the Naval Museum at Seawolf Park, Galveston, TX.

Rudy joined the DC Metropolitan Police Department in January of 1946 as a foot patrolman. The following year he married his wife, Margaret Mary Dulaney (Peggy-Du) at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church on October 18, 1947.  Rudy and Peggy were married nearly 70 years and raised their family of five (one son and four daughters) in Alexandria, VA, Wheaton, MD, and Fulton, MD.  As a police officer Rudy was dedicated to serving, working many years in the Juvenile Division and with The Boys and Girls Clubs of Washington, DC.  After he was promoted to Detective Sargeant and then Lieutenant, Rudy retired from DCMP 26 years later.  He then worked for NCR for 15 years and lastly as a Starter and Marshall for Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Golf Courses, mostly at Northwest Park GC.  Rudy and Peggy were active members of St. Louis Parish in Clarksville, MD where they never missed the annual Clarksville Picnic and Chicken Dinner.

Rudy loved spending time with his Family, friends and neighbors. He often said the best part of his life was playing with his children as we were growing up. Together we went fishing and crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay from Solomons Island to Point Lookout, exploring Skyline Drive, and walking the golf course at Northwest Park. He taught us at a very young age how to clean fish, pick crabs and shuck oysters. Our Family vacationed in Kill Devil Hills, NC every summer for 2 weeks. We would fish early in the morning on the beach, or from Jennette’s Pier or the Manteo Bridge.  We surfed the waves on inflatable rafts, we sledded the sand dunes on cardboard boxes, climbed the Hatteras Light House, and crabbed the back waters of the bay. At night we would gather driftwood and Dad would light a bonfire on the beach. We would sit on driftwood logs, under the stars, roasting marshmallows.  At home with neighbors and friends, there were endless social gatherings and barbecues in the back yard, with rounds of tether ball, croque, badminton and back yard gymnastics.

Rudy is survived by his son Richard Biro of Daytona Beach, FL; daughters Margie (David) Young of Naples, FL; Joanie (Joe) Rosati of Solomons, MD; Donna (Jim) Beck of Mt Airy, MD; grandsons Andrew Biro of Honolulu, HI and Richard Carlton Smallwood III (Sarah) who is serving in the Navy in Oak Harbor, WA. Rudy was predeceased by his wife Margaret Mary Dulaney Biro (Peggy Du); his daughter Barbara Anne (Biro) Smallwood; his parents Marie and Rudolph Biro; twin brother John Biro and sister Mary Biro Ebner.

Rudy and his family thank his wonderful Caregivers: Mary Ellen, Eunice, Rebecca and Elizabeth. May God Bless them as they ensured he lived and died in the place he loved so much, his home.

A celebration of Rudy’s life, and Funeral Mass will be held at a future time and date.
Rudy and Peggy will be laid to rest together at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Galveston Naval Museum.
www.galvestonnavalmuseum.com