Rodolfo Asch, 86, of Flemington, NJ, and San Jose, Costa Rica, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2025, at Morristown Medical Center after a brief illness.
Born in Limon, Costa Rica, on May 27, 1938, Rodolfo was the youngest of six children born to his parents Aaron Asch Escorcia and Elena Abrahams Miranda. Having lost his father at the age of 2, Rodolfo learned early on how to fend for himself, always making connections, and striking up conversations with whomever he met. Rodolfo graduated from the Liceo Napoleon Quesada Salazar High School in 1959. He loved sports, politics, and discussing the current events of the day.
Upon graduation, Rodolfo went to work for the Ingenio Taboga Sugar Plantation in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Following the Irazu volcano eruption in 1962, the American Government provided aid to Costa Rica to repair the extensive damages caused by the eruption. This led to opportunities for Rodolfo to start his work as a heavy-duty equipment mechanic alongside the American Sea Bee team building dikes and dams. This work also led him to join the construction crew for the Pan-American Highway from Cartago, Costa Rica, to the Panamanian border from 1965-1967.
He eventually worked on large construction projects in the Bahamas, and the Panama Canal. In the late 1970’s, he had the opportunity to work on the construction of one of the largest oil pipelines in South America starting in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, through the Andes, and ending at the coastline. While in the Amazon jungle and being an adventurous soul, he visited local tribes to learn about their culture and customs. He brought home stories, lots of pictures, and artifacts to tell family and friends of a very different world. He was a great observer and storyteller.
He joined the Grand Masonic Lodge of Costa Rica in 1980.
Rodolfo married Belen (née Araya) on February 5, 1965, and celebrated 60 years together before his passing. They welcomed two sons Rodolfo Jr. and Alexander. Rodolfo and Belen raised their family first in Guadalupe Costa Rica and then in San Isidro de Coronado Costa Rica.
In 1985, the family emigrated to the United States residing in Brooklyn, New York. While in New York, Rodolfo worked as a mechanic for the Brooklyn Bus Company. After both sons enlisted in the United States military, Rodolfo and Belen settled in Miami, Florida, where he worked for the Talisman Sugar Corporation, eventually retiring in 1999.
Rodolfo’s next adventure took him to Buffalo, New York, where he developed a passion for volunteerism and worked for several years with AmeriCorps.
Eventually moving to New Jersey to be closer to family, Rodolfo continued to travel, enjoyed watching his favorite soccer team of Costa Rica – Saprissa, and his beloved New York Yankees. A devoted outdoorsman, he enjoyed feeding and watching birds and local animals, fishing, volunteering at St. Elizabeth’s in Three Bridges, NJ, and working with his hands doing art projects with wood, metal, and plastic.
Rodolfo is survived by his wife, Belen; son, Rodolfo and wife, Maria Elena (née Merida); son, Alexander; grandchildren, Spencer, Olivia, Sadie, and Zander; as well as several extended family members.
Complete funeral and life celebration arrangements were private under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.
You are encouraged to visit Rodolfo’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.
Memorial contributions may be made in Rodolfo’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by clicking HERE.
________________________
Elizabeth Araya
left a message on March 14, 2025:
Maryellen O’Shea
left a message on March 14, 2025:
