Rudy got a position teaching at Arvin High School in 1985. While teaching there he went to night school at Cal Lutheran to get training in guidance counseling. He became director of guidance at Shafter High School, and also counseled for STEPS, the program for reforming alcoholics. In 1997, Rudy was named the Hispanic Educator of the Year of Kern County. He retired shortly after that and opened a gardening business, which he operated until illness forced him to quit.Rudy married Gwen Badger (’53), a marriage of 10 years which brought Rene, Rodney and Roger. This marriage ended in divorce. He then married Marilyn Milan (’54), and they parented Marilyn’s daughter from a previous marriage, Susan, and added Michele, Venetia and Royal to the family. These children have brought Rudy and Marilyn 17 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.Rudy kept busy with his hobbies of golf and photography until he could no longer work. His life was cut short by cancer on November 23, 2000.
Rodolfo “Rudy” T. Miranda, Class of 1950
August 29, 2003
Santa Paula High School
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By B. J. Harding, President, SPUHS Alumni Association
Biography #221 (Have you submitted yours?)Rudy and his brother Robert, Class of 1931, were born to Majin and Guadalupe Trejo Miranda at the Teague McKevett Ranch in Santa Paula, where his father was employed.Rudy attended grade school in Santa Paula, and entered SPUHS with his friends and classmates of the Class of 1950. At SPUHS he was active in the CHA, Hi Y, Service Club, and Projection Club, was on the Cardinal staff, and played the saxophone and drums in band all four years. Some of his special teachers were Arnold Ely, Bob Raitt, Helen Hardison, Henry Hill, Mildred Flickinger, H. Peyton Johnson, and Margaret Foote. Some of his pals at school were Buddy Sibiran (’50), Mike Escovedo (’50), Stella Borrego (’50), Wayne Allee (’50), Jack Dickenson (’50), Herb Ward (’51), and Ignacio Ruiz (’49).Following graduation Rudy joined the United States Air Force and was sent to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Since he spoke fluent Spanish, he was soon made an interpreter and was sent to Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois.After four years in the Air Force, Rudy left and went to work for McDonnell Douglas building airplanes. He left them and became a milkman for Carnation, and then opened his own business, Home Dairy. He purchased milk from dairies and delivered it to his customers. After four years he decided this was not the life for him.Rudy attended Cerritos College in Norwalk, earning his AA, and went on to Cal State Dominguez Hills to receive his BA. From there he went to USC for postgraduate work.
