Obituary of Melvin Howard Rudov

Melvin Howard Rudov, PhD. passed away peacefully June 29, 2021 at home in Fernandina Beach, Fl. He was born August 27,1933 to the late David Joseph and Rose (Malin) Rudov in Pittsburgh PA. He also was predeceased by his sister Sylvia Klein and brother Walter Rudov and wives Elaine Keller and Jean Abel. He spent his early life in Pittsburgh graduating from Carrick High School before receiving his Bachelor and Master of Science in Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. He served in the US Army achieving the rank of Captain and went on to earn a PhD. in Human Factor Engineering from The Ohio State University. His early career took him to Dayton, Ohio where he served as a Research Psychologist in the Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base which supported the initial NASA flights. He went on to Head the Life Science Section at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory in Buffalo NY, before returning to Pittsburgh where he was named Executive Director of the Pittsburgh office of the American Institutes for Research. In 1972 he was appointed the Director of Research for the Secretary’s Commission on Medical Malpractice at the Department of Health Education and Welfare and continued to consult with the Department for many years thereafter through his newly formed organization: The Centers for Health, Education and Social Systems Studies. He went on to start Affiliated Risk Control Administrator of Pennsylvania (ARCAP) and American Health Systems Institute; organizations that provided risk management services to hospitals and other complex organizations. Dr. Rudov was both a Licensed Professional Psychologist and a Certified Professional Ergonomist. He also was one of the first Diplomats of the American Board Forensic Psychology. He authored numerous papers and wrote two books on Forensic Psychology. In addition, he was a Visiting Lecturer at the State University of New York, Buffalo, and an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School Public Health, of the University of Pittsburgh. His career took him across the country and around the world. He very much enjoyed travelling and collecting unique art wherever he went. His collection included pieces from 6 continents. Even more than travelling he enjoyed boating. Upon receiving his PhD. he rewarded himself with an wooden Cuddy Cabin boat. Family vacations included trips to the Niagara River, Lake Erie, the Finger Lakes, Lake Cumberland and the Ohio River. Upon returning to Pittsburgh, he acquired a larger boat and a greater appetite for boating. He travelled the length of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers and then moved his boat to the Chesapeake Bay. He then had a boat made for him and explored all the tributaries of the Bay. His favorite photo was that of his beloved Ark-Apt at dusk anchored on the Wye River. He is survived by his sister Sheila Golding of Pittsburgh, his sons David of Pittsburgh PA, Cornell (Susan) of Fernandina Beach FL, Ted (Lynne) of Gaithersburg MD; grandchildren Daniel, Lindsey and Roxanne and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank his caregiver organization Guardians with Love and especially Malinda Spivey whose care and affection for Mel was exemplary. We also are indebted to Community Hospice and Palliative for their guidance, support and unwavering assistance. Burial will occur later this year in Pittsburgh. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Community Hospice and Palliative Care (4266 Sunbeam Rd, Jacksonville, Florida 32257) or a charity of your own choosing.