Rudolph O'Brien Adams "Rudy", age 85, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was born on February 16, 1939, in Killarney, West Virginia and grew up in the small coal-mining city of Beckley, West Virginia, with his three brothers and two sisters from the union of the late Thomas Adams, Sr. and Bertha Lee (Wallace) Adams.

Rudy was an outstanding student and athlete, graduating from Stratton High School. Rudy and longtime friend Charlie Cowan, were recognized as two of the top high school basketball players out of the Mountaineer State. Another of Rudy's classmates was singer and songwriter, Bill Withers. Rudy cherished his early years and the friendships he developed in Beckley. He went on to New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He came to Highlands as an athlete and left as a scholar. Rudy made the All-Frontier Conference basketball team and lettered for four consecutive years. He was part of the NAIA and UPI All-American basketball team and was listed as Who's Who in Small College Basketball. He was inducted into the New Mexico Highlands University's H-club Athletic Hall of Honor in 2001. During his time at the university, he excelled in his coursework for all four years. He and Charlie Cowan expanded their "band of brothers" that remained in regular contact. Charlie's eventual death had a significant impact on Rudy and all those that knew him. The band of brothers include/included: Guy Moore, Ted Maestas, CV Thomson, Joe Long, John Evans, Roger Cochran, Clark Kesler, Bert Brown, Forrest Harris, Robert, and many others. Rudy graduated college with a Bachelor of Science degree and shortly thereafter, pursued graduate work with a Biology major in his first Master's degree program. Rudy eventually moved to Los Angeles and roomed with Charlie Cowan, a former Los Angeles Rams All-Pro Football player.

In 1965 Rudy enlisted into the United States Army and spent three years as a Medical Technician, utilizing his skills and talent as a Biology major. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, Rudy moved back to West Virginia where he pursued graduate coursework at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. He eventually went to Columbus, Ohio to work in an anti-poverty agency where he worked with Magnus Lewis, and Joe Levey, who became longtime friends. During his time in West Virginia Rudy met and married Verna Wood, raising two daughters, Chavonne and Renée. When Joe Levey became Commissioner of the Department of Youth Services, two of the first people he brought with him to Massachusetts were Magnus and Rudy. Rudy worked for the Department of Youth Services as Superintendent of Canterberry Youth Detention Center. He also served as a juvenile delinquency specialist with the Governor's Committee on Criminal Justice, followed by several years in the private sector. Rudy was recruited for a most challenging Area Director's position in the largest and busiest Area Office with the Department of Social Services. He stayed for more than 20 years. As an Area Director, Rudy was instrumental in making his Area Office the most prominent Child Protective Social Service office in Massachusetts. Rudy also served as a South End Settlements Board member for more than a decade.

In1998, he received the Joe Long Endowment Award for Children in Crisis from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. In 1999 Rudy earned  the Governor's Citation for Outstanding Performance for Social Services. He established a reputation as a very passionate child and family advocate. Wherever Rudy was in life, his phenomenal leadership skills and positive personality followed. He completed the program for Senior Executives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Rudy was a slim 6'5" man with an infectious smile and a wonderful personality that made you feel as if you had known him all of your life. One of his university classmates described him as being, "smooth", and that he was. While in Boston, Rudy attended Northeastern University's Master's degree program in Criminal Justice Administration. During this period, Rudy met and got to know Al Holland and Ralph Martin. They often met after work or class to catch up on the latest news or to have good conversations. When Rudy moved in with Al Holland they were compatible roommates and became great friends. Rudy took Al to Beckley, West Virginia where Rudy introduced Al to some of his cousins he didn't know. Rudy had a special way about him, and he made people feel comfortable. Rudy and Al had another roommate, Abner Logan, and the three would often have cookouts and entertain friends and family at the penthouse on Worcester Square.

Prior to being recruited to DSS, Rudy had already established strong ties to the community, working with several agencies to broker better services and resources for children. Rudy's dedication to youth development led him to New Jersey, where he headed a new Youth Development Center with Motorola Corporation. However, his heart remained in Boston, and he returned there to manage the Basics Program out of the Roxbury Boys and Girls Club which was an alternative juvenile prevention program. Rudy's commitment to public service was further solidified when he became the Area Director for the Department of Social Services. His impact on the community was profound, leaving a lasting legacy of service and advocacy. In 2002 Rudy retired from the Department of Social Services after a long and distinguished career as an outstanding and compassionate public servant and advocate for children. In 2003, he  received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Highlands University for becoming a public servant, a leader in his profession and community, and a mentor for the defender of children who have been abused and neglected.

Rudy and Carol Costanzo began their 34-year love affair in 1990, and they had been together ever since. They were soulmates with similar values and ethics. They learned so much from one another. They were life partners. They enjoyed traveling and spending time together with their two Persian cats, Bella and Bette. And prior to, there was Carol's cat, Lily who became a part of Rudy's healing world. Rudy had fun and was masterful in training and engaging their adorable cats. In 1999 Rudy started to experience various medical issues. Carol was right there for him (until the end) as he was right there for her in their future. Everyone knew Rudy and Carol, as they were inseparable. Carol's immediate and extended family knew and adored Rudy. He was a noble man of great character and a kind heart. He went through life with so much wisdom. Rudy's nephew Mansfield "Manda" Adams Jr. became closer with Rudy and Carol over the years. He treated Rudy with care and respect, and was especially helpful to him over the last few years of life.

Rudy is preceded in death by his siblings, Mansfield Adams Sr.; Richard Adams; Doris Adams-Burrell; September Adams; and Tom Adams, Jr (sister-in-law Dorothy Mae Kelly Adams); as well as his daughter, Renée Adams; niece Fay Adams-Thomas, and nephew Tom Adams, III. He leaves his life partner, Carol Costanzo, of Boston Massachusetts; his daughter, Chavonne (Darrell)Saunders of Columbus, Ohio; his nephews and nieces, Mansfield "Manda" Adams, Jr. of Woburn, Massachusetts; Janice Velez of Merrimack, New Hampshire; John P. Adams of Lexington, Kentucky; Kelly Adams-Tate of Houston, Texas; Sheba Adams of Buffalo, New York; Dennis O. "Rick" Adams of Norfolk, Virginia; Charlene Neal of Moyock, North Carolina and a host of great nieces, nephews, and friends.