Missing Rudy

I appreciate the first-rate piece by Bill Plaschke about Rudy Lugo, the longtime coach and teacher at Canoga Park High. It was splendid reading about this remarkable man and his love for the school and the much deserved love and respect he received in return. My son-in-law Rob graduated from this quality school and a better person you cannot find.

Eileen O’Neill

West Hills

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As an old two-sport high school teammate of Rudy Lugo’s in the early ‘60s, I was stunned and saddened to learn of his tragic passing. Rudy was the catcher on our baseball team and the tight end and defensive end in football despite weighing in at about 150 pounds soaking wet -- and 140 of that was heart and guts. His courage and toughness was there for all his teammates to see in the film room on Mondays as he took on opposing linemen sometimes 75-100 pounds heavier and rarely gave any ground.

Canoga Park High has never been known as an athletic powerhouse, but when it comes to quality people, Rudy stands at the peak. Plaschke’s final sentence quotes Rudy as saying he was “blessed to be so loved.” In truth, we who shared his youth and witnessed his accomplishments were blessed to have known him.

Ron Redmond

La Quinta