Rudy Platzer is a proud American! He was taught by his parents and teachers that he could be anything he aspired to be in this wonderful land of opportunity. He worked hard pursuing excellence and success followed.
He grew up in a working class neighborhood in Dayton Ohio, the son of immigrant parents with eighth grade educations. Although it was a rough part of town, he managed to break out – singing solo soprano in the Dayton Boy’s Choir and writing poems published in the National Anthology of Poetry. He also played drum solos at a number of public events.
None of the men in his family had ever finished high school, but his mother convinced him to take college preparatory courses. At age 14, to help with family expenses, he took an after school job building cabinets and counter tops in a custom woodworking shop. He built a kneehole desk out of scrap lumber, which he still uses in his office. Also, while in high school, he organized and led a very popular dance band. He joined the American Federation of Musicians at age 18 and continued his part-time music career for 50 years, a hobby of love. After graduating with honors from high school, in the midst of a severe economic recession, the only job he could find was in a local foundry, as an unskilled laborer. He was hospitalized with a life threatening illness, partly because of the horrible factory environment, and when he recovered he decided it was time to go to college. He had been able to save some money and entered the University of Dayton two years after high school. He paid his tuition and living expenses by working part-time as a furniture repairman and refinisher at local furniture stores. He also drove a taxi cab (perhaps “The Diary of an Intrepid Cab Driver” will be his next book!) On weekends he played with the popular local big bands of the day. He had planned on receiving a regular Army Officer’s commission after completing his ROTC commitment, but instead suffered multiple injuries in a work related accident and became physically disqualified for military service. Upon graduation with a degree in business organization and philosophy, he took a position with the Federal government where he served as a civilian in Air Force Intelligence for most of his 30 year career — an exciting and rewarding experience which he loved. He was presented the Air Force Exceptional Civilian Service Award, the highest honor granted an Air Force civilian, one rarely given. He retired as a Technical Director in the Foreign Technology Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
Upon retiring from the Air Force, he established and operated a home inspection company over the span of 24 years. He inspected thousands of residential and commercial structures for well-satisfied clients.
Over the years his avocation has been building single and multiple family housing and custom homes. He has also restored two historic buildings and remodeled several others. He has a life-long love of power tools with many scars to prove it!
He served as President of the Ohio Chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) as well as serving on the ASHI International Board of Directors. His practice is now dedicated to advising attorneys on cases involving construction defects and providing expert witness testimony in related court trials.
Rudy holds both Bachelor and Master degrees in Business and is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He holds a certificate from the Professional Inspectors Training Institute and is a licensed US Coast Guard Captain. He resides in Marblehead, Ohio with his partner and best friend of 27 years, Ruth Schneider, and their two loveable cats, “Gus “ and “Elsa”.
