Obituary of Ludwig John Spolyar

Ludwig John Spolyar, of Tahoe City, CA and Minneapolis, MN, passed away on his 92nd birthday, February 5, 2023 surrounded by his children. Lud will be remembered for his deep and lifelong friendships, irrepressible cheerfulness, humor, sense of fun, appetite for newspapers and magazines, social savvy and ever-present desire to be of service to others and his community.  

Lud was born on February 5, 1931 in Detroit, MI the last of four children to Ludwig and Illeona (Tomay) Spolyar. Shortly thereafter during the Depression, the family moved to Los Gatos, CA.  Known as "Luddy'', he attended University Avenue Elementary school and graduated in 1948 from Los Gatos High School. Lud attended San Jose State College, joined ROTC and Delta Upsilon making lifelong friends with his chapter brothers. Lud was very active in student organizations and was elected Student Body President his Senior year. Upon graduation, Lud spent 2 years in the Air Force serving a year in Japan as the Korean War ended; he then continued in the Air Force Reserves achieving the rank of Colonel before retiring in 1982.

Lud never left college life.  He started his career in Student Activities at Long Beach State College where he co-founded the rowing team.  In 2018, he was pleased to be present at the “Beach Crew” christening of the racing shell bearing his name. 

In 1955 Lud went to Michigan State University for his PhD in Counseling and Guidance. While standing in the alphabetical class registration line, Lud asked an attractive young woman next to him if he could look at her registration book - to get her name.  A year later, Kirsten (Kit) Staff became Kirsten Spolyar. After receiving his degree, Lud and Kit moved with baby Elizabeth to California.  

While at California State College at Fullerton, Lud was indirectly responsible for the first Intercollegiate Elephant Race when he created an example Student Activities Form describing an Elephant Racing Club. In 1962, the family of four (with the addition of baby Charles) moved to Seattle, WA where Lud became the head of Student Activities at University of Washington and perfected his salmon grilling technique.

The Spolyar family moved once more in 1967 to Minneapolis, MN where Lud spent 31 years in Student Activities and Counseling Services at the University of Minnesota. During Vietnam War protests, Lud spent long nights negotiating between the University administrators and students. With his extensive network and desire to tackle any challenge, Lud founded the Campus Assistance Center in 1971 as a clearing house for University information, problems and concerns.  From 1986 to his retirement, he worked with many students at the U in Counseling Services.  Lud especially enjoyed Parent Orientation presentations for incoming students' families where he could endlessly recycle his jokes.  

Lud and Kit welcomed another son, John, in 1973.  Lud took John to endless Gopher Football and Hockey games, and in later years, John took Lud.  In 1976 Kit was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and passed away in 1997. Lud was an attentive caregiver as Kit’s condition changed and he took to shopping with stacks of coupons and doing other household chores.  

Professionally, Lud was active in many organizations including the American Psychological Association, American College Personnel Association and was the founding President of the Minnesota College Personnel Association.  The Minnesota College Personnel Distinguished Service Award was named after him in 1998. He served on several task forces at the local and State level and was a Licensed Psychologist.

Upon retirement in 1998, Lud returned to California, this time settling at Lake Tahoe.  He rekindled old friendships and made many friends through his church, homeowners association and local and regional Rotary clubs. Lud enjoyed swimming daily when he could, effectively becoming the “Mayor” of the Dollar Point pool.  As his dementia increased, he returned to Minnesota at the insistence of his children, but never stopped talking about returning to California.

Lud is preceded in death by his parents, wife Kirsten, siblings Helen Mae Tidwell, Darwin Spolyar, and Pauline Polen.  Lud is survived by his children, Elizabeth (Steve East), Charles (Cindy), and John (Marcy) and 6 Grandchildren: Kirsten, McCullough, Christopher, AJ, Owen and Leona.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 11:00 am Saturday, March 18, 2023 at St Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 1500 Franklin Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Visitation at 10:00 am with a luncheon to follow in Garvey Hall.  For information about the service livestream, please contact a family member or the church. 

Memorials may be sent to St Frances Cabrini Catholic Church or Rotary International. A gathering is being planned for Tahoe City, CA in the Spring. 

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at Parkshore Senior Community and Memory Care, Methodist Hospice, niece Ruth Welch and husband Steve, dear friends Carolyn Willette and Len Froyen.