too busy to grow old: rAVEN ANd MArV rudNitsky

too busy to grow old

StorY & PhotoS: cindy o. herman

The Rudnitskys might grow old someday, but now is not a good time. With family activities, community service and power walks, aging just can’t seem to find a spot on their agenda. “We’re both curious,” said Raven Rudnitsky, sitting at the dining table in the Selinsgrove home she and Marv have shared for 40 years. “We want to read and travel and learn. There’s just no limit to learning and growing.” A good part of that learning and growing takes place in what Raven calls their attempt to “give back.” They’re very involved with St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, which they described as open and affirming and very welcoming. One of the church’s most important ministries is a free event for children called “Messy Church,” where their daughter Kimmie Burkhart follows their example of volunteering. Marv sings in the church choir and also, with their daughter Amy Caron, in the Susquehanna Valley Chorale, where Raven is on the board of directors. “Marv has a beautiful tenor voice,” Raven said, explaining with a smile that singing isn’t her strong point, but, “Amy would say I’m the best appreciator.” She also appreciates good health, so she is a patientcommunity representative on Geisinger’s MyCode Ethics Advisory Council. From the time she and Marv moved to Selinsgrove in the early 1970s they’ve found ways to serve and strengthen their community. Marv was a founder of the Selinsgrove Area Youth Foundation, now called the Selinsgrove Area Community Foundation. The group awards $40,000 in scholarships to Selinsgrove Area students every year. Both Rudnitskys are members of the Selinsgrove Area Rotary Club, where Marv is the Sergeant of Arms and Raven supplies the jokes. “They love it,” Marv said of her humor. He also oversees the local International Exchange Student Program, and Raven is the exchange student counselor. Over the years they have welcomed a number of exchange students into their own home, from lands as far-reaching as Japan, Germany, Indonesia and Argentina. Because they met and fell in love while attending Penn State in the 1960s, they both serve on Penn State’s Liberal Arts Development Council. As a testament to the respect they hold for each other, Marv convinced the council to include Raven even though she was not in the Liberal Arts College. “I suggested if they could get Raven to join me, it would be a better council,” Marv said. “And they found that to be true.”

helping their hometown

Marv graduated in 1964 with a degree in Arts and Letters, received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1967 then went on to found RHP Law Group, in Selinsgrove. Raven graduated in 1966 with a degree in English/ Education and, after graduate school at Bucknell University, opened a private family therapy practice. Her warmth and determination shine when she talks about the years their home was a safe haven for women in abusive relationships. When someone asked if they were afraid of retaliation by angry husbands, Raven seemed surprised. “They needed a place to stay, and that was all that mattered,” she said. It was the same attitude that caused her and a few other women to start the Susquehanna Valley Preschool when her own girls needed a preschool education experience

shortly after moving to Selinsgrove. “Look around your community,” she said. “What do people need, and how do we fill that void?” Today Marv focuses his efforts primarily on pro bono work for local nonprofit agencies. “Communities everywhere are enriched by nonprofit volunteers,” he said. “If it were just government running things, it would be pretty drab and dull.” About 20 years ago he created the Planned Giving Council of Central Pennsylvania, showing high net worth clients how to benefit themselves while helping nonprofit groups. His quiet demeanor grew animated as he talked about finding ways to help a nearby town, lacking a chamber of commerce, eliminate blighted buildings and become more prosperous. “We are truly blessed right here in Selinsgrove,” he said, noting nearby Susquehanna University and a number of nonprofit agencies that enhance the town’s aesthetics and lifestyle. He himself is a past president of the Selinsgrove Chamber of Commerce and current president of the Selinsgrove Borough Council. He ran for that position after serving in a number of government positions, including: US Army Military Judge, Assistant Attorney General for the Pennsylvania Department of Justice, Chief Counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce, president of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and three terms in the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates. Fun little fact: Raven was appointed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Board and served six years as its chair —the first woman and first non-lawyer to serve in that position. A few years later, Marv followed, serving another six years “They called it the Rudnitsky chair,” Raven quipped, explaining she was asked to serve because her psychology background enabled her to consider mitigating circumstances, for example, the fairness of meting out standard punishment to a mentally ill person. With all of Marv’s governmental service, a reporter asked why he was running for the borough council position. He leaned forward when answering a similar question at his dining table. “I want to do something in my hometown,” he said, “to be an example for my grandchildren.” “We try to experience a lot,” Raven said. “You’ve got to have a reason to get up in the morning and know you have a purpose. Even if it’s encouraging someone on the phone.” Because they are grateful for the help they’ve received and the success they’ve achieved, Marv and Raven have set up a number of scholarships and endowments at Penn State and Susquehanna University. They are staunch supporters of the library and created the Wray Rudnitsky Endowment of Women’s Health to research cancer, which took the life of Raven’s sister at the age of 62.

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A loving family is part of what keeps Raven and Marv Rudnitsky young, seen here with their daughters. From left: Amy Caron, Kimberly Burkhart and Kelly Feiler, all from Selinsgrove.

Raven and Marv Rudnitsky stand in front of a cherished portrait of their daughters when they were children, painted by Jeffrey D. Martin, of Selinsgrove. The Rudnitsky families live within a few minutes’ walk of each other in downtown Selinsgrove, allowing them to visit together often. The family consists of: - Marv and Raven Rudnitsky - Kelly and Steve Feiler, with sons Owen, Theo and Chris - Amy and Brian Caron, with daughters Maya and Eve - Kimmie and Bruce Burkhart, with son Bode

Staying fit

The Rudnitskys enjoy pushing themselves physically. They started running in the 1970s, which led to Marv entering a number of marathons. They laughed about him running backwards during a race up Diamond Head so he could encourage Raven to keep going while they were vacationing in Hawaii years ago. Growing up in a family of athletes, Raven would rather be moving than sitting. She’s even walked through sessions with clients. These days the Rudnitskys power walk four to five miles a day, through all kinds of weather, with their two dogs, Rudy and Molly. Since the pandemic, they have exercised at the Selinsgrove REC, where their daughter Kelly Feiler is the president. They track their steps on Fitbits, and Marv jokingly complained that Raven had more steps because her stride is smaller than his.

When they visit their house in Florida they play tennis at least every other day, as well as taking their long walks. Their Selinsgrove backyard holds a swimming pool, which has beckoned grandchildren and their friends for years. “If there’s one thing that keeps us young, it’s being surrounded by young people,” Raven said. “The joy they live, it’s just wonderful.” Marv and Raven love having their three daughters and their families living within a five-minute walk of their home. They also make a point of traveling with their grandchildren. They went to Germany with Owen, and to Italy with Theo and Maya. In June they’re planning on France with Eve and Chris. The youngest grandchild, Bode, will then choose his trip when his turn comes.

give back

Now is definitely not a good time for the Rudnitskys to grow old. The next few years aren’t looking so good, either. They’ve got too many plans. “Volunteer,” Marv said, when asked for advice on staying young. “Find a way to give back to other people in the community,” Raven agreed. “It’s fun. You’re with people, laughing and talking and making friends, and feeling good at the end of the day. The more you help someone, the better you feel.”

• Cindy O. Herman lives in Snyder County.Email comments to her at CindyOHerman@gmail.com