Rudolph "Rudy" SpeckampHyde Park - Rudolph Speckamp, affectionately known as "Rudy", 71, of Hyde Park, passed away painlessly in his sleep on Monday, September 11, 2017 at New York Presbyterian Columbia University Hospital.He was born on April 16, 1946 in Kaufbeuren, Germany to the late Helmut and Lisalotte Speckamp. Rudy completed his apprenticeship from 1960-1963 at Sanatorium Eichwald, Bad Woerishofen. He then moved to the USA to study at Cornell Cooking School, but was drafted by the US Army soon after he arrived. He joined the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam from 1968-1970, where he was honorably discharged as a sergeant.From 1970-1975, Rudy worked as an Executive Chef at various restaurants until he opened "Capriccio" in Baltimore, Maryland and later "Rudys' 2900" in Finksburg, Maryland. While at "Rudys' 2900", he served on multiple USA culinary Olympic teams, including the renowned 1988 gold medal team. He earned his Master Chef Certification in 1988 from the American Culinary Federation and was voted "Chef of the year" for 6 consecutive years by Baltimore magazine.Beginning in 2006, he worked for the Culinary Institute of America, serving as a Senior Consultant who traveled the world teaching, including consulting the Marine Chefs at Camp David, where he cooked for President George W. Bush. Later, he became an Associate Professor, where he inspired the lives of countless students. Rudy is survived by his beloved wife, Gail Speckamp; his daughter, Tanya Speckamp; and four his brothers: Ulf Speckamp, Wolfgang Speckamp, Claus Dieter Speckamp, and Helmut Speckamp.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Hans Speckamp.A viewing will be held on Wednesday, September 20th from 11am to 2pm, with a second viewing from 5pm to 8pm, at Sweet's Funeral Home, 4365 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park, NY 12538.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Michael Morris at 10am on Thursday, September 21st at Regina Coeli Catholic Church, 2 Harvey St., Hyde Park, NY 12538. Marine Corps honors will follow.Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at the convenience of the family.In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to the Chef Rudy Speckamp Memorial Scholarship Fund for student. Donations can be made at: http://www.ciaalumninetwork.com/s/898/17/interior.aspx?sid=898&pgid=1586&gid=1&cid=3553&ecid=3553&post_id=0 .To send an online condolence, or for directions, please visit the website, www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.