Robert Ellis Rudolph, Portland advertising executive and autograph dealer, died Dec. 18, 2006 at Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville.

A native Oregonian, born in Portland on March 10, 1921, he graduated from Grant High School and attended the University of Oregon and the University of Portland. During high school he worked for Lipman’s Department Store and during college in the advertising department of the Oregon Journal.

Mr. Rudolph joined Oregonian owned radio stations KGW and KEX as an account executive and became sales manager in 1945 when it was purchased by Westinghouse Broadcasting. In October 1962 the nation first heard about the Northwest’s Columbus Day Storm when Rudolph, at home without power, contacted KDKA radio in Pittsburg alerting them to the devastation. His telephone call was broadcast by the station and picked up by the nation’s wire services.

After the sale of KEX radio, Rudolph formed an advertising and corporate development firm involved in acquisitions and mergers.

Mr. Rudolph was one of the early collectors of autograph material and assisted individuals without charge in identification and authentication. A history buff, he researched and assembled documents pertaining to the Third Reich and the counter movement, thereby establishing one of the nation’s finest private collections from the European phase of World War II. Later, he became Portland’s first autograph dealer and operated an art studio involving historical documents, illuminated manuscripts, historical Oregon books and antique maps. This was featured in a two-page article in the Oregonian’s This Week Magazine which referred to Mr. Rudolph as “The Keeper of a Timeless Gallery.” Mr. Rudolph also appeared on local television and radio stations to discuss his collections.

He was past president of the Providence Hospital Lay Advisory Board, a former board member of the Portland Masonic Temple and a member of Alpha Delta Sigma advertising honorary, Demolay Legion of Honor, Portland Masonic Lodge, AF@AM Scottish Rite, Al Kader Shrine, American Orchid Society and Manuscript Society.

Mr. Rudolph came to Whidbey Island in the early 1950’s following his wife, Peggy’s concern with his love of fly fishing on the fast waters of Oregon’s McKenzie River while she tended two small, active children. They loved Whidbey Island and acquired many island properties over 50 years during their vacations and lengthy visits. In 1990 he and his wife retired to Greenbank.

Mr. Rudolph is survived by his wife Peggy, whom he married in 1951, a son Mark of Portland, daughter-in-law Myrna, daughter Robin Bernardy and son-in-law David of Greenbank and seven granddaughters, Erin and Julie Dougherty, and Angela, Renate, Sharon, Alexis and April Rudolph.

No services will be held at his request. Private family inurnment will be held. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.